Owners and managers of leisure locations have insufficient knowledge of the laws and regulations regarding attractions and playground equipment. As a result, the majority of locations inspected by the NVWA at the end of 2024 did not meet legal requirements. Only 13% of the visited zoos, holiday centers, museums, shopping centers, and garden centers had everything in order regarding attractions and playground equipment. These inspection results prompt the NVWA to pay extra attention to the legal regulations. The NVWA also provides information and assistance to ensure compliance at such locations improves in the coming years.
In the last 3 months of 2024, the NVWA conducted unannounced inspections at 31 leisure locations. These are locations where attraction and playground equipment are not the main activity. The inspections check whether the attraction and playground equipment have been inspected, whether they are safe to use, whether they are properly managed, whether the correct documents are present, and whether accidents are reported. At 4 locations, the requirements of the Commodities Act Decree on attraction and playground equipment 2023 (WAS 2023) were met. At the other 27 locations, violations were found, often multiple per location. At 13 locations, serious violations were found, and equipment was closed and managers fined. For moderate violations (at 16 locations), the managers received an official warning. None of the equipment at those 16 locations posed an acutely unsafe situation.
View the full Inspection results for attractions and playground equipment at leisure locations 2024 (last quarter) and first quarter 2024.
Insufficient knowledge of legislation
During the inspections, owners and managers were also assessed on their knowledge of the WAS 2023. Many managers and owners appear to have insufficient knowledge and do not know their legal duties. It is the entrepreneurs responsibility to be well informed about the legal obligation.
Because compliance is lagging, the NVWA finds it important to focus on sharing information and also offers tools. For example, knowledge sessions, informational materials, and compliance assistance. This year, a letter about the WAS 2023 was sent to a large number of entrepreneurs of leisure locations. Furthermore, the NVWA website has been adjusted so that the available information can be found better, including a Checklist for proper management of attractions and playground equipment.
The NVWA also continues to engage with industry organizations and visits relevant trade fairs. In addition, inspections at leisure locations will of course continue.
More information
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