Sports Administration announces 2024 sports facility inspection results with over 98% compliance, ensuring safety for users
To ensure the safety of the public during sports activities and protect consumer rights, the Sports Administration (SA), in collaboration with local governments, inspects sports facilities annually to provide consumers with a safe sports environment and protect their sports-related consumer rights. On February 20, the results of the 2024 inspections were announced. A total of 1,768 public and private sports facility operators across Taiwan were inspected, achieving an average compliance rate of 98.15%.
In 2024, 439 swimming pools were inspected with a compliance rate of 97.49%, 630 fitness centers with a compliance rate of 98.89%, 614 fitness instructor course providers with a compliance rate of 97.39%, and 85 businesses issuing vouchers with a compliance rate of 98.82%. Compared to 2023, the compliance rates for all four categories showed slight improvements. Additionally, the number of operators in the swimming pool, fitness center, and fitness instructor course provider categories increased from the previous year. This reflects local governments' emphasis and efforts in guiding sports facility operators to meet swimming pool management regulations and standard contract specifications. The SA will continue to assist local governments by increasing the number of inspections each year and actively guiding non-compliant operators to make timely improvements, ensuring the protection of sports consumers' rights.
The subjects of the sports facility inspections include swimming pools, fitness centers, and sports venues offering fitness instructor courses or issuing vouchers. The safety inspection items for these facilities cover aspects such as the overall safety of the venue, emergency medical equipment, and checks for carbon monoxide poisoning. In terms of consumer contract safety, inspection focuses on fitness centers and sports venues offering fitness instructor courses or issuing vouchers, checking whether their membership recruitment and the contracts or voucher contents for instructor courses comply with the regulations on mandatory provisions to be included in and prohibitory provisions required in standard contracts.
The SA reported the most common violations during inspections: For "swimming pools," operators failed to comply with construction, fire safety, air quality, and business registration regulations. For "fitness center standard contracts," the issue was unclear specification of services provided during operating hours. In "fitness instructor service contracts," operators did not provide proof of public accident liability insurance and failed to include rules on reservations, cancellations, and make-up services for instructor courses. For "sports venue operators issuing gift vouchers," violations included unclear voucher details, issuing vouchers via magnetic strip cards or electronic methods without necessary provisions, and non-compliant voucher replacement or re-issue processes.
After inspections conducted by local governments, if operators are found non-compliant, the SA will require them to make improvements within a specified time, in accordance with Article 36 of the Consumer Protection Act. If the violations pose significant risks to consumers' lives, health, or property, operators may be ordered to immediately stop operations. If operators fail to improve within the given timeframe, they will be fined under Articles 56-1 or 58 of the same law. Continuous follow-ups will assist operators in making necessary improvements. Operators who failed to comply in the previous year will be prioritized for inspection and guidance in the current year. If an operator fails inspection for two consecutive years and does not make required improvements, local governments may take appropriate action under the Consumer Protection Act and local regulations to ensure safety. Additionally, this year's inspection results include a list of operators who have failed for two consecutive years, ensuring transparency and serving as an important reference for consumers engaging in sports-related activities.
In line with the Ministry of Health and Welfare's revision of the "Regulations for the Management of Necessary Emergency Rescue Equipment in Public Places" and the "Public Places Required to Have Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)," the SA will officially include the "inspection of necessary emergency rescue equipment, such as AEDs," in the 2025 inspection process for fitness centers, fitness instructors, and sports venue operators issuing gift vouchers. The SA will also require local governments to strengthen guidance for sports venue operators who have not installed AEDs or other necessary emergency rescue equipment, urging them to complete the purchase or rental within the specified time to ensure safety during sports activities.
The 2024 Sports Venue Inspection Report is now available on the SA's official website (URL: https://www.sa.gov.tw/: Homepage / Unit Services / Sports Facilities / Inspection Announcement Information). The public can access the audit announcement section for more details. Consumers are encouraged to check online whether a sports venue has passed the inspection before swimming, exercising, or signing standard contracts at public or private sports venues. The SA also advises consumers to ensure that gift vouchers or contracts for fitness instructor courses, gym memberships, or other services comply with the mandatory and prohibited provisions in standard contract regulations before making a purchase. When signing contracts, consumers should carefully consider whether the terms align with their available time, physical condition, and financial situation, and thoroughly review all details to enjoy the health and happiness that come from exercise, worry-free.
