Recently, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of China have officially released a new mandatory national standard: “Requirements for Opening Conditions and Technical Specifications of Sports Venues – Part 19: Adventure Facilities” (GB 19079.19-2025). The announcement was made under Notice No. 32 of 2025, and the new standard will come into force on July 1, 2026, replacing the previous GB 19079.19-2010 version.

The standard was proposed and administered by the General Administration of Sport of China, with the Mountaineering Management Center of the General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Mountaineering Association serving as lead drafting organizations. They worked together with six additional entities, including Beijing Hua’an United Certification & Testing Center and Jiangsu Zhongzheng Testing Co., Ltd.

GB 19079.19-2025 establishes comprehensive requirements for adventure sports facilities that are open to the public.

The standard covers:

• Qualifications for operational and technical personnel

• Site conditions and facility requirements

• Safety equipment

• Auxiliary equipment and supporting facilities

• Hygiene and environmental management

• Safety assurance and operational protocols

It applies to the planning, construction, operation, management, and inspection of all types of public adventure sports venues.

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Key Technical Changes from the 2010 Version

In addition to structural adjustments and editorial updates, the new standard introduces several important technical revisions:

Newly added requirements:

• Safety provisions for water-related adventure sites

• Qualification requirements for safety technicians and related personnel

• Load-bearing test methods for facilities and equipment

• Safety specifications for zip-line projects

• Safety monitoring systems and emergency response procedures

Removed provisions:

• Mandatory requirements for site size and specific project types

The new approach shifts the focus from rigid space and project definitions to performance-based safety requirements, improving flexibility and practical implementation across diverse venue types.

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Background and Industry Significance

Adventure sports have grown rapidly in China in recent years, with increasingly diverse formats and venue types. The previous 2010 version of the standard had been in effect for more than 15 years and no longer fully reflected the industry’s current conditions, particularly in areas such as site selection, facility safety, and equipment management.

The 2025 revision aims to:

• Address emerging safety risks

• Close regulatory and technical gaps

• Improve the scientific and practical basis of the standard

• Align with modern adventure sports formats

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Impact on the Industry

The introduction of GB 19079.19-2025 is expected to:

• Strengthen China’s sports venue standardization system

• Provide authoritative technical guidance for planning, construction, and operation

• Improve participant safety and service quality

• Promote safer, more standardized development of the adventure sports sector

• Support the long-term growth of China’s national fitness and sports industries

With its focus on safety, personnel qualifications, and performance-based technical requirements, the new standard represents a significant regulatory update for operators, equipment suppliers, and investors involved in adventure and outdoor sports facilities across China.