Certification of Indoor Sports Facilities: What Will Change for Sports Flooring?

Starting January 1, 2026, the certification of indoor sports facilities will become part of the updated quality assurance system. This system was developed within Sportinfrastructuur by stakeholders from the sports sector, including NOC*NSF and the Association of Sports and Municipalities (VSG). Veiligesportvloer is a member of VSG and monitors developments regarding the quality and safety of sports facilities.

Certification covers multiple components of indoor sports facilities. Below we focus specifically on sports floors.

European and additional standardization

Within Europe, the NEN-EN 14904 standard applies to the properties of sports flooring. In the Netherlands, the European standard was supplemented by the NOC*NSF US1-15 guideline for sports-related technical requirements. In the updated quality assurance system, the European standard remains the foundation, and the previous NOC*NSF US1-15 guideline has been replaced by new technical requirements for sports within the quality assurance system.

The additional technical requirements for sports surfaces apply to sports floors used for organized sports activities and competitions, including indoor soccer, indoor hockey, indoor volleyball, indoor basketball, handball, badminton, and table tennis.

What does this mean for existing sports floors?

For existing sports floors, the technical requirements generally do not change immediately. A transition period applies to existing sports floors. During this period, owners must demonstrate that the floor meets the applicable requirements.

In some respects, the regulations are even more flexible. For example, the maximum gloss level for sports floors in Class 2 has been raised to 20 percent. However, the owner must demonstrate within seven years that the sports floor complies with the applicable standards. This is done through an inspection by a recognized inspection body.

What changes are coming for sports floors and new construction?

Additional requirements apply to sports floors in new facilities. The requirements for clearance space are becoming more stringent, and sports fields must not be located too close to one another. This means that the required floor area increases. Parallel lines must be at least 5 centimeters apart. Deviations that were previously tolerated are no longer permitted under the updated quality assurance system. For new construction projects, we recommend consulting with the sports flooring supplier early on and having a line marking plan drawn up and reviewed. A new indoor sports facility must demonstrably meet the new requirements in order to be certified.

In existing sports facilities, these additional requirements do not apply.

What is the new classification system for sports floors?

The naming convention is changing, but the quality standards are not shifting on a one-to-one basis. This is a new classification system that aligns with European categories. Previously, the market used classes 1, 2, and 3, with class 1 representing the highest quality. This classification was based, among other things, on gloss level and shock absorption.

The old layout will change as follows:

• Old Class 1 –> New Class 3
• Class 2 — “>” remains in Class 2
• Old Class 3 –> New Class 1
• New EU Class 0 –> minimum European category

Who is responsible for maintenance and management?

The responsibility for demonstrating compliance with the requirements lies with the owner or manager of the facility. Proper maintenance remains an important prerequisite for maintaining the performance of a sports floor. A floor that meets the requirements upon delivery must continue to meet them throughout its service life. In addition to periodic inspections, proper daily and periodic maintenance remains necessary. Contamination, wear and tear, and improper use can affect the performance of the sports floor.

It is important for administrators to:

• to properly document maintenance records
• monitor the condition of sports floors and facilities
• Take the new requirements into account when renovating or replacing

The floor is part of the overall quality of the accommodation and must meet the requirements.

To support administrators in this process, we use Sportvloermanager365 . This customer portal centralizes all data, such as measurement reports, visual inspections, photos, and maintenance recommendations. We also incorporate the latest standards into the system, ensuring you always have insight into the quality of the sports floor.