The Active Standard has been launched by ukactive, signalling a huge step forward in the shared mission to enhance standards at fitness and leisure facilities across the UK.

The standard, known also as TAS, has been designed for all operators – whether from the private, public or independent part of the sector – and comes free of charge as part of ukactive membership.

TAS is a baseline certification aligned with the industry’s existing standard schemes, FitCert and Quest, and provides an opportunity for operators to demonstrate their quality and compliance with UK law, therefore building consumer trust and improving reputation and resilience.

To achieve The Active Standard, operator members are assessed by a third-party assessment body against a strict criteria covering requirements for health and safety compliance, professional standards, safeguarding measures and data protection. Certification lasts three years before re-assessment is required to ensure standards are maintained.

Successfully achieving the certification will support operators to foster opportunities for growth with new partners across the wider public health agenda, by instilling confidence in the safety and professionalism of their sites.

The Active Standard will complement both Quest and FitCert, providing a new entry route and pathway through the standards world for many operators, while reinforcing the commitment of those further along in their journey.

Plans for The Active Standard were first announced at the Active Uprising Conference in 2020, where Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson set out a commitment from ukactive to drive improvement and professionalism across the sector.

Since then, the standard has been meticulously tested with a representative sample of operators during a multi-year pilot, assessed by Right Directions, to ensure the certification works for organisations of all types and sizes. The pilot included a cohort of sites developing musculoskeletal health programmes (MSK hubs) to demonstrate that high standards can support the integration of our sector into health care pathways with the NHS.

Development of The Active Standard syllabus has been supported by ukactive’s Standards and Legislation committee, which has helped scrutinise the criteria.

As part of the development, ukactive has been working closely with partners Sport England, CIMSPA, Right Directions (which delivers Quest*), and EuropeActive and NEN** (which together deliver the European FITcert Scheme).

ukactive also convened leading standards experts from across the UK and Europe to inform the final development of the standard in April this year.

Each of the sector standards will maintain their unique position in the market. The Active Standard has been designed as the foundation and baseline certification, meaning operators can progress their level of standards through the likes of Quest and FitCert, without duplication.

Member operators that have already achieved either Quest or FitCert against the International Standard for Sampling (ISO) (the square root of the total number of sites operated by an organisation) will automatically achieve The Active Standard certification. This means that organisations that have achieved these qualifications across a number of sites equivalent to the square root of the total number of sites they operate, (e.g. three sites out of a total of nine) will also achieve The Active Standard.

ukactive is onboarding pre-qualified organisations in November and December – including those that successfully achieved The Active Standard during the pilot phases.

From January 2025, the first wave of member operators to enter the certification process will be contacted by ukactive to begin their journey. While some organisations will be able to evidence how they already comply with The Active Standard, others will be supported to work towards achieving certification. Once completed, certificates for The Active Standard can be publicly displayed and promoted.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: ‘Today marks a significant milestone for the entire sector as we unite to raise standards at fitness and leisure facilities across the UK.

‘Demand for our sector’s services is growing rapidly as more people across the UK and Europe prioritise physical activity for their health and wellbeing.With this increase in demand, our sector is determined to raise the standards of health and safety, and inclusion, so more people can access and enjoy the benefits of being active.

‘We are delighted to introduce The Active Standard as a major new benefit of ukactive membership which will act as a gateway for more operators to show they are taking the right steps to achieving excellence.

‘Thanks to the support of EuropeActive, Right Directions, CIMSPA, Sport England and NEN, we are confident that all operators, no matter how big or small, will find The Active Standard valuable and supportive in reaching more people.’

Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of Sport England, said: ‘Our mission is for everyone to get active – regardless of their background, ability or postcode. To do this, people need to know that the places we choose to be active in are safe, supportive and up to standard. The Active Standard will encourage people to visit their local fitness and leisure facilities, creating a positive impact in communities across England.’