What is FITcert®?
FITcert® is the European fitness club certification scheme, developed by EuropeActive in partnership with NEN.
It's built on the new European standard EN 17229, giving fitness clubs a clear benchmark for good practice in operations and management.
Through FITcert, clubs can be independently assessed and certified to show they meet high standards of customer service, safety, and hygiene, creating a trusted, quality environment for members.
The scheme benefits the whole industry: clubs gain a recognised mark of quality, and the millions of members across Europe gain confidence in the fitness services they use.
Why it matters?
Fitness industry experts spent years building standards that reflect real best practice, covering safe, hygienic operation and supervision of clubs. COVID-19 made this urgent. Clubs needed to visibly prove they met these standards, to earn the trust of customers, staff, suppliers, and governments.
FITcert®️ answers that need. It lets clubs independently demonstrate high customer service standards and a safe, suitable environment for every user.
Benefits
Trust — show customers, staff, and partners you meet a recognised European standard
Credibility — independent certification, not self-declared (level 3 & 4)
Safety — verified hygiene and operational practices
Competitive edge — stand out in a crowded market
Confidence — governments, insurance companies and suppliers see compliance at a glance
Certification Scheme
The FITcert® certification scheme consists of four levels, allowing fitness facilities to progressively achieve the highest possible or desired standard.
Level 3
Conformity Assessment
Here a club must provide information and evidence that they meet the core compliance requirements of the EN17229 standard. This is confirmed by independent certification organisations after detailed verification.
Level 4
European Certification
This is the 'gold standard' where, upon successful completion, clubs demonstrate 100% compliance with the requirements of EN17229.
Level 1 & 2
Preparation & Self- Assessment Phase
Entry into the programme begins at Level 1 & 2 combined, which is designed to be an accessible starting point. These levels represent the initial commitment to the programme, where preliminary checks and validation are performed.
Completion of Level 2 marks a transition point for successful clubs, guiding them towards the next steps. These steps are overseen by the Dutch Standardization Institute (NEN) and independent international certification bodies that comply with ISO 17020 requirements.
Achievement of Level 2 is only valid for 12 months, after which clubs must progress to level 3 or 4 or their entry in the directory will expire.
The certificate is valid for three years and is immediately included in the public register. The reassessment of conformity criteria for clubs at level 3 or 4 takes place every three years.
The full requirements for conformity assessment at Level 3 & 4 can be downloaded from NEN website.
Start your journey with FITcert®
Apply to Levels 1 & 2 now!