What is the Association of Play Industries (API) ?
The Association of Play Industries (API) is the lead trade body in the play sector; with over 80 members it represents the interests of manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safer surfacing.
Founded in 1984 the API represents approximately 85% of the annual UK market demand of over c. £180 Million.
The API’s aims and objectives are:
- To promote good play space design, installation and workmanship within the industry
- To promote an understanding of play and risk
- To maintain and assist the development of British,
European and other Standards for play
- To liaise closely with governing bodies of play, nationally and internationally
- To ensure members comply with standards and good practice
- To provide a united voice for the play industry
The API is passionate about play, play which encourages appropriate thrill and reward from assessing and taking risk. Best practice in play area design offers visible challenge and risk and API members use their years of experience to design and create environments that deliver this within well-developed safety standards.
The API is run by its members who form the various committees and are experts in specific aspects of their industry. The API operates under the auspices of the Federation of Sports & Play Associations www.sportsandplay.com. Based in Warwickshire the secretariat has a dedicated association manager, Deborah Holt.
Over the last 25 years, the API has grown form strength to strength. The API originally covered outdoor play equipment and surfacing manufacturers. It has expanded to incorporate indoor play and companies specialising in construction and installation. The Associate section was introduced in 2005.
Working together through the various steering groups and committees, members separate themselves from commercial interests for the good of the industry, customer and suppliers. Representation from the API on various British Standards (BSI) committees ensures the membership continue to improve standard and quality of play facilities.
API has drawn up a new CHARTER that re-states its aims and beliefs relating to children’s play and their wellbeing. It emphasises the API’s continuing promotion of good industry standards and inclusive design – where listening to children means they are consulted on the spaces they play in.
API Chairman, John Croasdale, said: “The API and its members have always been focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children through play. This charter makes that commitment clear as many of our member companies have already produced a wealth of information on the benefits of play; exercise, fun and learning. The charter also highlights our political stance that more needs to be done to support the future of play provision and the communities it serves.”
The API aims to provide a united play-industry voice and continue to liaise closely with government and relevant national and international bodies including progressing positive two-way working with, for example Federation of the European Play Industry (FEPI), National Childrens Bureau (NCB) ,Fields in Trust (FIT) and Play England.
The API and its members play a crucial role within the play industry and we continue to rise to the challenges ahead.