Article published on 1 October 2026

A playground must meet certain requirements relating to manufacturing, design, maintenance, management and signage in order to ensure user safety.

The European standard governing playground design allows a certain degree of freedom in equipment design in order to preserve its playful and educational nature.

Indeed, children need to experience controlled risks, learn to explore and push their own limits as they grow.

Through play, they experiment and gradually learn to manage height and a sense of space, balance, sliding, climbing, and much more. One important piece of advice for adults accompanying young users is to respect the child’s pace and abilities.

Indeed, when an adult helps a child access a particular part of the equipment, the child may find themselves in a play area that is too difficult for their abilities.

The level of difficulty involved in accessing the equipment should therefore be appropriate to the characteristics of the play structure.

1 – Check the Information Plate on the Play Structure

Each piece of equipment must have an information plate indicating its certification (EN 1176) and the recommended age range for use.

2 – Impact-Attenuating Surfacing

If the installed equipment has a fall height of more than 1 metre, impact-attenuating surfacing must be provided. This can consist of poured rubber, rubber tiles or natural materials such as bark, rounded gravel or sand.
The key requirement is that the surface is present and in good condition: rubber surfaces must not have cracks, and sufficient material must be maintained around the equipment when a loose-fill natural surface is used.

3 – Are the Play Equipment Pieces Far Enough Apart?

When designing a playground, it is essential to comply with what is known as the “impact area”, a theoretical safety zone located around the structure.
If these distances are not respected, the playground will not comply with the requirements and the risks will increase.
On the plan views of our products, you will see this safety zone, making it easier to visualise the space required around each piece of equipment.

4 – What Condition Is the Equipment in?

Check that the equipment is in good condition: wooden components must not show cracks, ropes must be properly secured, platform surfaces must not be slippery, etc.

5 – Are Play Features Present?

Play equipment should not simply be a piece of street furniture, but a genuine tool for stimulation and development, offering a wide range of stimulating play functions that continually engage children and maintain their level of concentration.
Indeed, when play routes are too simple and predictable, attention decreases over time: children become distracted more easily, which can increase the risk of accidents.

What Should You Do If One of These Characteristics Is Missing?

The playground owner or manager should be informed so that they can contact the equipment supplier and report the issue. The supplier can then assess the situation and implement the necessary corrective measures.

However, it is not possible to completely eliminate risks in a playground. These risks depend in particular on:

  • the behaviour of children and the adults accompanying them;
  • the equipment installed and, more broadly, the quality of the playground layout.

Contact us by completing the form to receive more information and start designing a playground with us that is safe — but above all, full of fun!

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