Playground Inspector

Independent Certification for Playground Equipment and Surfacing

At NPGI, we offer independent product and equipment certification in accordance with the EN 1176 and EN 1177 standards. Whether you’re a manufacturer, supplier, or installer, we provide impartial verification that your playground products meet the rigorous safety, design, and performance requirements defined in European regulations.

We help ensure that your equipment is not just innovative and fun — but also certifiably safe.

Why Product Certification Matters?

CE marking and EN compliance are essential benchmarks for any product designed for playground environments. Certification from an independent body like NPGI gives:

  • Regulatory assurance for local authorities, schools, and developers
  • Confidence in product design, materials, and construction
  • Reduced liability in the event of incidents or claims
  • A competitive advantage for tenders and procurement
  • Peace of mind for clients, insurers, and end-users

What We Certify?

We assess and certify a wide range of playground products and components, including:

  • Modular and bespoke play structures
  • Swings, slides, carousels, rockers, and climbing frames
  • Outdoor fitness equipment and multi-use games areas (MUGAs)
  • Surfacing products: rubber tiles, wet pour, loose-fill systems
  • Bounce houses, indoor playgrounds, Skateparks and Parkour

Certification Against Key Standards

All assessments are carried out in accordance with:

  • EN 1176-1 to 1176-11 (general and equipment-specific safety requirements)
  • EN 1177:2018 (impact attenuation for surfacing)
  • Any relevant UK regulations or guidance

We also verify compliance with manufacturer specifications, technical documentation, and installation tolerances.

What’s Involved?

Our product certification service includes:

  1. Design Review
    Examination of technical drawings, dimensions, materials, safety zones, and compliance criteria.
  2. Risk Assessment
    Identification of potential hazards in accordance with EN 1176’s risk-benefit principles.
  3. Physical Testing (where applicable)
    Validation of strength, stability, and functional performance of components.
  4. Impact Testing
    HIC testing for surfacing in accordance with EN 1177, including Critical Fall Height (CFH) evaluation.
  5. Certification Report
    A detailed report confirming compliance, listing findings and, if applicable, required remedial actions.
  6. Certification Issue
    Upon successful completion, we issue a Certificate of Conformity — trusted across the UK.

Ideal for:

  • Playground equipment manufacturers
  • Installers and contractors seeking independent sign-off
  • Developers or councils procuring new equipment
  • Architects and specifiers requiring verified compliance

Independent, Trusted, Respected

  • Expert instruction from qualified NPGI inspectors
  • Interactive sessions with equipment demonstrations
  • Course workbook and reference materials
  • Certificate of attendance (ideal for insurers and H&S records)
  • Ongoing support and advice from the NPGI team
HIC-test on existing playground (Critical fall height)
Contact a Certified Playground Inspector

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