Testing and certification of sporting goods

Skateboards are very complex products, on which many tests have to be done to verify their full functionality, robustness and durability. Your skateboard should meet all the requirements of the applicable standard that we mention here. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers to demonstrate conformity of their products to the applicable standards and to declare that the products meet all the requirements laid down. Generally, the manufacturers can demonstrate conformity of their products in three ways:

Essentially, there are three ways of conformity assessment:

1. The manufacturer has its own, in-house test station and verifies all the parameters in there.

2. The manufacturer has the parameters verified by one of the testing laboratories that are competent to perform the required tests.

3. The manufacturer takes a risk, does not verify any parameters and simply places its product on the market. This, however, is a very hazardous approach both for the manufacturer and (especially) for the users of such a product.

What is tested

• quality of the design/construction of skateboards
  (protruding parts and edges etc.)
• wheels
  (speed test, adhesion etc.)
• rebound or braking
• self-locking fixings
• strength
  (drop test, impact test, endurance test, etc.)

What is assessed

• accompanying documentation
  (technical descriptions etc.)
• instructions for use, information the manufacturer provides
• marking
  (completeness, endurance)

The most frequently occurring problems

• wheels
• strength
• anti-slide surface
• insufficient information, instructions, marking

Standards:

• ČSN EN 13613:2009 Roller sports equipment - Skateboards - Safety requirements and tests methods

Skateboardy

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