Why ISO/TC 83 matters
ISO/TC 83 develops International Standards for sports and recreational facilities and equipment, helping to reduce frequency and severity of injuries in activities, and making them more accessible and inclusive to be more enjoyable for everyone – from grassroots participation to elite performance, from outdoor equipment to virtual facilities. This includes solutions for both sport and pure recreation, ranging from equipment like snowsports or ice hockey equipment to facilities such as playgrounds.
Founded in 1955, ISO/TC 83 brings together global experts to agree on how sports and recreational facilities and equipment should be designed, tested and managed. Our work covers both physical (including traditional) and virtual sports (including e‑sports),and includes the standardization of training, performance and safety requirements, among others, promoting safety, performance and fairness across borders and markets.
By 2026, ISO/TC 83 connects 34 participating (P) members and 24 observing (O) members. Together, this international community develops standards that address real needs in the sports and recreation sector and support their use around the globe.
How we work
In a world where technologies and user expectations change rapidly, ISO/TC83 stays agile by embracing new ideas within its scope. Our experts monitor trends, share insights and translate their knowledge into International Standards that respond to current challenges for manufacturers, operators, users and consumers, while anticipating what comes next.
Through regular plenary meetings, workshops and expert presentations, we create a space for open dialogue, networking and problem‑solving. This shared platform helps us identify market needs, launch innovative projects and deliver standards that improve safety, performance and reliability in sport and recreation.
A key success factor is the close collaboration between our members, experts, convenors, chairpersons and committee managers, forming a strong team built on rich and diverse experience. Together, they engage in open dialogue, hands‑on problem‑solving and mutual support, ensuring that high‑quality standards are not only shared but continually refined.
Learn more about ISO
Ready to join?
Taking part can give you early access to industry information, give your company a voice in the development of standards and help to keep market access open.
Interested in joining us? Learn more how to get involved.
Driving global standards: together as team
ISO/TC 83 is powered by a global community of experts who are passionate about making sport and recreation safer, fairer and more inclusive.
As a technical committee, ISO/TC 83 acts as the central steering body. Directly under ISO/TC 83, several Working Groups carry out detailed technical work, while three Subcommittees focus on specific areas: ISO/TC 83/SC 4 “Snowsports equipment”, ISO/TC83/SC 5 “Ice hockey” and "ISO/TC83/SC 6 “Martial arts”. Each Subcommittee also has its own Working Groups and dedicated activities – you can find more information about their scope, projects and experts on their respective pages.
Our Working Groups
At the heart of the work in our Working Groups (WG) are our Convenors. They lead international expert teams, coordinate projects and help turn ideas into globally agreed International Standards that can be used in practice. Acting as facilitators, mediators and drivers of progress, they keep work on track, build consensus across countries and ensure that the results are relevant for real‑world use.
Our Working Group Convenors
Below, you will find the Convenors of the active Working Groups directly under ISO/TC 83 – professionals from different countries, backgrounds and disciplines who bring their expertise and commitment to the table to shape the future of sport and recreation.
Our Chairman
Michael Haus has been active in standardization since 2001 and brings more than two decades of experience to his leadership roles within ISO. He serves as Chairman of ISO/TC 83, and as Chairman of ISO/TC 83/SC 6 “Martial arts”, supporting both groups in developing high‑quality International Standards. He has recently been re‑elected as Chairman of ISO/TC 83/SC 6, confirming the trust placed in his leadership by the international martial arts community.
Structure
| Secretariat: | DIN (Germany) |
| Creation date: | 1955 |
| Committee Manager: | Ms Leticia de Anda González |
| Chairperson: | Mr Michael Haus |
ISO/TC 83 oversees three Subcommittees (SCs) and 13 Working Groups (WGs), which carry out the detailed technical work. ISO/TC 83 meets once a year to set priorities, take key decisions and coordinate the work across its structure.
ISO/TC83 National Member Bodies may nominate experts as delegates to participate in ISO/TC 83 Plenary Meetings, ensuring that national perspectives and needs are represented. In addition, they can appoint experts to Working Groups to contribute directly to specific projects.
As shown below, the Working Groups listed here report directly to ISO/TC 83, and each Subcommittee in turn oversees additional Working Groups. The secretariats are indicated in parentheses. ISO/TC 83 is led by its Chair, Michael Haus, who is supported by the Committee Manager.
| ISO/TC 83/ | Title (Secretariat) |
|---|---|
| WG 2 | Camping tents (DIN) |
| WG 3 |
Summer toboggan runs (DIN) |
| WG 4 | Computer vision systems for the detection of drowning accidents in swimming pools (AFNOR) (dormant) |
| WG 5 | Kite boarding (DIN) (dormant) |
| WG 6 | Hazard identification and risk assessment (SCC) |
| WG 7 | Sleeping bags (DIN) |
| ISO/TC 83/ | Title (Secretariat) |
|---|---|
| WG 8 | Playspaces (ANSI) |
| WG 9 | Floating leisure articles (AFNOR) (dormant) |
WG 10 |
Sport games (SAC) |
| WG 11 | Systems for detection of involuntarily submersion (DIN) |
|
|
|
| WG 13 | Racket Sports (SAC) |
| ISO/TC83 | Title (Secretariat) |
|---|---|
| SC 4 | Snowsports equipment (ASI) |
| SC 5 |
Ice hockey equipment and facilities (SCC) |
| SC 6 | Martial arts (DIN) |
Strong cooperation with Europe
ISO/TC 83 maintains a close liaison with CEN/TC 136
CEN/TC 136, the European technical committee on “Sports, playground and other recreational facilities and equipment”, which focuses on requirements and test methods related to safety, performance, information for users and the operation of facilities and equipment.
Under the Vienna Agreement, we jointly develop many projects, including harmonized standards that may be proposed for citation in the European Official Journal, helping to deliver robust EN ISO standards for the sector.
Cooperation with CEN/TC 158 on head protection standards
CEN/TC 158, the European technical committee on “Head protection”, develops European standardization documents for head protection to safeguard wearers against known and potential head injury hazards, identified through risk assessment and reflecting state‑of‑the‑art science as well as technical and economic considerations.
Under the Vienna Agreement, ISO/TC 83 cooperates with CEN/TC 158 on selected projects, helping to deliver robust EN ISO standards for head protection used in sports and recreational activities.
Collaboration with CEN/TC 162 on protective clothing standards
CEN/TC 162, the European technical committee on “Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets”, focuses on requirements and test methods for clothing that protects against physical and chemical hazards, including hand and arm protectors, high‑visibility clothing and lifejackets.
ISO/TC 83 collaborates with CEN/TC 162 under the Vienna Agreement on selected projects, including harmonized standards that may be proposed for citation in the Official Journal of the European Union. Through this cooperation, we help deliver robust EN ISO standards for protective clothing and equipment used in sports and recreational activities, strengthening safety and consistency across the sector.
Our standards contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting safer, more sustainable and socially responsible sports and recreational activities.
