The safety of recreational facilities and equipment is in the crosshairs of the authorities

For facilities frequented by large numbers of families—especially those with small children—accident prevention, regular maintenance, and proper operation are fundamental requirements. For this reason, official inspections are ongoing in this area. The inspection includes, among other things, verifying the existence and validity of required documentation, examining mandatory markings and warnings, and reviewing the structural design, stability, and operating conditions of the equipment. To ensure compliance with legal requirements, the authority issues warnings where warranted, imposes obligations, and—in cases of serious deficiencies—may prohibit the use of the equipment in question.

According to the experience of previous years, the rate of non-compliance was low for water parks, adventure parks, and amusement parks, while the authority identified more deficiencies at outdoor fitness parks. In the year 2025, staff from government agencies under the professional supervision of the NATCP checked a total of 4,949 pieces of equipment at 866 locations, of which 704 pieces of equipment (14%) at 152 locations (18%) did not comply with the legal requirements for operation. The goal of this year’s inspection is to further strengthen compliance with the law, reduce the number of identified deficiencies, and place greater emphasis on prevention. In this regard, one of the most important provisions is that only certificates of conformity issued by a certification body designated in Hungary, based on a technical inspection conducted at the Hungarian operating site, will be accepted.

In addition to consumer protection inspections of children’s holiday camps, it is also necessary to conduct market surveillance inspections of the recreational equipment, facilities, and sports equipment used for recreational purposes at these camps in order to ensure the safety of the children staying there and to prevent accidents.

The number of via ferrata routes in Hungary has grown rapidly over the past decade, expanding from just a few routes to a nationwide network; therefore, we are re-examining the operation of via ferrata routes this year. Via ferrata routes can present extreme challenges that may pose increased risks if their structural design, stability, operation, or repair in the event of failure are inadequate.

The NATCP’s goal is to ensure that operators of recreational facilities fully comply with safety regulations, thereby guaranteeing safe recreation for families and sports enthusiasts in the 2026 season as well. The authority’s long-term goal is for inspections to not only identify deficiencies but also contribute to strengthening prevention, reducing the number of accidents, and improving the quality of services nationwide. Strengthening the practice of law-abiding operators is in the common interest: a safe environment increases visitor confidence, supports tourism, and contributes to maintaining the good reputation of domestic recreational and sports facilities.