1. Understanding UNE and Its Role in Industry Standardization
With the global rise of padel, ensuring that courts are safe and meet verified quality standards has become a top priority. AFP Courts, a global leader in padel court design and manufacturing for over 15 years, has been instrumental in developing and publishing the UNE 147201:2024 standard in May 2024. This is the first comprehensive regulation designed to ensure user and structural safety, while also defining the inspections, reviews, and testing that padel courts must undergo moving forward.
2. The Importance of UNE 147201:2024
The UNE 147201:2024 standard specifies the technical requirements for padel courts from both a structural and user safety perspective. By focusing on the integrity of every component of a padel court, the standard ensures that courts are designed, manufactured, maintained, and inspected to prevent risks related to both usage and structural integrity. It also regulates various aspects that enhance the durability of padel courts.
The key aspects of the UNE 147201:2024 for padel courts include:
- Defining the essential and specific requirements that padel courts must meet to guarantee structural and user safety.
- Establishing the necessary inspections, reviews, and tests for padel courts once installed.
- Listing applicable standards for manufacturing key padel court components, including structure, glass, flooring, and lighting
3. AFP Courts’ Role in the Development of the UNE 147201:2024
AFP Courts has collaborated with the International Padel Cluster (CIP) and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) to establish rigorous standards for safety, functionality, and durability through the creation of the new UNE 147201:2024 standard.
This initiative, supported by the majority of Spanish padel court manufacturers through the Cluster and by the UNE Technical Committee CTN 147/SC2 GT3, now aims to advance this standard toward global ISO Certification through the International Committee ISO/TC 83 (Sports and Other Recreational Facilities Equipment).
Achieving ISO certification for padel courts will drive global growth in the industry, enhance safety standards, and benefit both court manufacturers and the industry as a whole. Most importantly, it will benefit the players. As a key figure in both the UNE (Spanish) and ISO (international) standardization projects, CIP First Vice President and AFP Courts’ Co-CEO Jorge Caña has played a vital role in aligning this new standard with the technical and regulatory needs that the padel industry has long demanded for its courts.
4. AFP Courts’ Commitment to Quality: Achieving ISO 9001:2015 Certification
AFP Courts has also set a milestone in the padel industry by becoming the first company worldwide to achieve the ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design and manufacturing of padel courts. This certification further reinforces AFP Courts’ commitment to leading the way not only in regulatory standards but also in quality benchmarks.
AFP Courts continues to set the industry standard by designing and manufacturing padel courts that meet international standards and can be fully certified in any country. This guarantees reliability in meeting the growing global demand for this dynamic and exciting sport.
Contact us for more information on how AFP Courts can help you build certified, safe, and top-quality padel courts.