Francesca Nizzero
External Relations Manager
Accredia

Accredia, the Italian Accreditation Body, has recently begun accrediting conformity assessment bodies (CABs) under ISO/IEC 17065 for certifying the accessibility of tourist facilities. The applicable requirements for the certified structures are contained in the new practice UNI/PdR 131:2023 “Accessibility of services offered by accommodation facilities, spas and bathing establishments, and sports facilities – Requirements and check-list”. The PdR was issued by the Italian National Standardization Body (UNI) with the objective of verifying that the services offered by accommodation structures, spas and beach resorts, as well as sport facilities, are accessible to people with disabilities.

The definition of the new scheme confirms that accredited certification is an effective tool to improve and facilitate quality of life, strengthening the principles of social inclusion and equal access for all to buildings and services of sports and leisure.

The origin of the scheme

The requirements of UNI/PdR 131 were developed by experts from the Ministry of Tourism, Accredia and the UNI committees for the tourism sector. The result of this standardization activity is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, aimed at empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

In Italy, it was also made possible thanks to a special fund established by the Ministry of Tourism and included in Budget Law 234/2021, as well as the dedicated fund of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which is the national implementation of the NextGeneration Project of the European Union.

How it works

CABs accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 are the only bodies authorized to certify tourist and sports facilities in compliance with UNI/PdR 131, which defines minimum accessibility requirements for services performed in these areas.

The scheme represents the common national framework for existing international certifications related to accessibility, such as ISO 21902 “Tourism and related services – Accessible tourism for all – Requirements and recommendations” and EN 17210 “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements” and other Italian technical standards. The requirements for accredited certification are applicable for both private and public organizations and companies and are provided with respect to the following areas: design of accessible services; common basic requirements for the built environment; internal transport; urban and rural tourist areas; recreational activities; meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism (MICE); accommodation; food and beverage.

To define the specific rules for CABs willing to certify the accessibility of tourist and sports facilities, Accredia published the informative circular n° 45 of 2023 containing the provisions for the accreditation and the maintenance of accreditation under ISO/IEC 17065.

The benefits of accreditation

Accreditation according to UNI/PdR 131 supports the development and diversification of tourism offers for people with disabilities, increasing competitiveness in a developing sector, which is strategic from both an economic and social aspect. Indeed, accredited certification is intended to be seen as a pragmatic tool to ensure that people with reduced or impeded motor or sensory capacity can move freely, safely and independently.

Accredia President Massimo De Felice explains: “A modern and evolved country guarantees inclusiveness and equal access to people with disabilities, which today in Italy exceed 5% of the population. For this reason, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in each of the six missions, includes targeted interventions in this direction.” To achieve this goal, opting for accreditation, with the involvement of certification bodies and technical standardization, can be “the appropriate tool to certify that hotels, tourist, and sports facilities meet accessibility requirements, allowing them to enjoy tax benefits. This is a concrete step forward, toward a society taking care of the fragile people and their right to self-sufficiency.”