An outdoor public playground is a designated municipal or community outdoor space designed for the recreation of children up to 14 years of age, without staff supervision. However, playgrounds can become accident sites when basic safety, maintenance, and supervision requirements are neglected.
Legilative Framework for Outdoor Public Playgrounds
According to Greek law (FEK 931/B/2009, FEK 2029/B/2014), playgrounds must be inspected by an accredited inspection body, such as Ergocert Hellas S.A.
The inspection, which covers both the equipment and the playground area and flooring, is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the relevant standards (ELOT EN 1176).
Initial Playground Inspection
The initial inspection of a playground is carried out before the playground is made available to the public for use, and the purpose of the initial inspection is to obtain the playground's Suitability Mark, for which the following are required:
- A technical checklist report confirming compliance with all legal requirements
- A certificate of compliance from an Acredited Inspection Body
- Approval from the Municipial Control Committee
Once the above have been obtained, the Local Authority can apply to the Ministry of the Interior and receive the Certified Playground Mark. The special Suitability Mark that is awarded is valid for one (1) year.
Periodic Playground Inspection
The periodic inspection of playgrounds is repeated every year to confirm that the playground area and equipment meet safety standards and to renew the Certificate of Suitability.
Playground Inspection Procedure
The initial and periodic playground inspection procedure includes:
- Visual inspection of equipment
- Measurement of floor impact absorption with specialized HIC Tester equipment
- Dimensional inspection - measurement of distances between equipment
- Use of special gauges to check for edge entrapment
- Inspection of structural integrity of equipment
A playground is a designated non-public space where entertainment is provided exclusively for infants and children up to 14 years of age, in the presence of accompanying adults and under the supervision of staff. A playground, as an area with controlled access, can be located either inside a building (indoor) or fenced off, outside a building (outdoor).
Private playgrounds, designed to offer fun and creative play for children, can become accident sites when basic safety, maintenance, and supervision requirements are neglected.
Legal Framework for Playgrounds
According to Greek law (FEK 2213/B/2019, FEK 758/B/2023), playgrounds must be inspected by an accredited inspection body, such as Ergocert.
The inspection, which covers both the playground area and its equipment, is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the relevant standards (ELOT EN 1176, ELOT EN 1177).
Αρχικός Έλεγχος Παιδότοπου
Ο αρχικός έλεγχος ενός παιδότοπου πραγματοποιείται πριν από την έναρξη λειτουργίας του και εκδίδεται Πιστοποιητικό Συμμόρφωσης Ασφαλούς Εγκατάστασης και Λειτουργίας απαραίτητο για την Έκδοση Άδειας Λειτουργίας του παιδότοπου.
Περιοδικός Έλεγχος Παιδότοπου
The periodic inspection is mandatory every one (1) year and concerns the maintenance inspection of the equipment installation.
Έκτακτος Έλεγχος Παιδότοπου
In cases of modifications, addition of equipment and toys, or serious repairs, the playground operator is required to immediately notify the Inspection Body for an emergency inspection.
Διαδικασία Ελέγχου Παιδότοπου
Ergocert undertakes the inspection and certification of playgrounds, and the inspection procedure includes:
- Visual inspection of equipment
- Dimensional inspection – Measurement of distances
- Use of special gauges to check for edge entrapment
- Inspection of structural integrity of equipment
The inspection and certification of a playground is a legal obligation of the operator, and any failure to carry out the inspection will result in severe penalties from the competent inspection authorities.
Relevant Documents
General Inspection Regulation
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