“PIPA” is the Professional Inflatable Play Association. We are a professional association set up to improve standards across the inflatable play and leisure industry in the UK. As a ‘not for profit' organisation, our work connects inflatable play inspectors, operators, organisations and enforcement to ensure standards continue to improve across the industry in the UK and beyond.

PIPA’s inspection scheme provides a framework to enable the inspection of inflatable amusement devices and certify inflatable play inspectors as competent to undertake inspections. As part of the framework, an online inspection portal is used to record and publish inspection reports, providing assurance about how inspections are conducted. PIPA verifies that its inspectors remain competent and up to date as it continues to expand on the current safety standards and brings more inflatable amusement devices under the scope of the scheme. PIPA provides training and guidance to members of the industry to promote confidence to members of the public when they use inflatable amusement devices.

Our work is primarily focused in the UK. As the scheme grows, we gain European and International recognition. As a trusted organisation, we provide assistance to worldwide  countries about inflatable play safety. PIPA inspectors can be based in any location in the world.

PIPA seeks to work with all members of the industry to improve standards in inflatable play. We have a strong relationship with the Health & Safety Executive in the UK, who were consulted at every stage of PIPA’s inception, and who we continue to work with today. As we continue to grow the scope of the scheme, PIPA is here to work with manufacturers, controllers, operators, local authorities and the public to ensure its work meets the demands of all its stakeholders.

The day-to-day activity of PIPA is conducted through the PIPA office. The executive board of PIPA is the PIPA Leadership Group (PLG) who are an elected group of members, and co-opted non-members, who are there to hold the PIPA office to account, and ensure the scheme is delivering its objectives.

PIPA is funded through fees levied within PIPA inspections generated through its inspection portal. It also generates funds from training programmes and membership. It is accountable for how these funds are used, which is restricted to developing the scheme and contributing to the leisure industry. Part of the accountability we have in place includes the restriction against payment of dividends to any director or member. As we are entrusted to ensure funds are used appropriately, our accounts are audited and our members are provided with these details each year at the annual general meeting.