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FIFA APPROVED LOGO
FIFA INSPECTED LOGO
The above logo's are printed on all soccer balls
that are either FIFA Approved or FIFA INSPECTED. Only the highest
of quality balls can pass the testing requirements.
FIFA
Denominations Programme
The testing
procedures and designations offer many benefits to those who buy
soccer balls (footballs) including guaranteed quality, value for money and better
playing performance. Since January 1, 1996 only those outdoor footballs
which have been tested and meet the demanding quality criteria,
bearing either of the official markings 'FIFA Approved', 'FIFA
Inspected' or 'International Matchball Standard (IMS),' are allowed to be
used in FIFA (Fédération
Internationale de Football Association www.fifa.com
) competition matches and competition matches
under the auspices of the six continental Confederations.
As of January 1, 2000 the quality testing and
certification has also become compulsory for indoor footballs used
for international matches under the auspices of FIFA and the
Confederations.
FIFA has set out to ensure that
the balls used in top matches meet the most exacting standards. It
has meant a general upgrading of standards of footballs (soccer
balls) throughout the world.
Testing procedures for the balls submitted for
these designations are designed to simulate match conditions.
Manufacturers have to submit seven balls if they are applying for
"FIFA Inspected" status, and ten samples if they seek the
"FIFA Approved" label. All these are put through their
paces at EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing
and Research in St.Gallen.
There is another qualification level, too, less
demanding than the others. This is the designation
"International Matchball Standard", and for this the
applicant footballs (soccer balls) can be sent to any of seven European test
institutes which have been selected by FIFA to test and certify the
balls for this category, which is free of any royalty fees.
There are a total of seven tests. All footballs
are submitted for the first six and only potential "FIFA
Approved" candidates for the seventh test, which is a shooting
test for shape and size retention, including change of pressure.
However, the criteria for "FIFA
Approved" footballs are higher throughout. For example, 25%
loss of pressure is acceptable for a "FIFA Inspected"
applicant, but only 20% for a "FIFA Approved" ball.
Video:
Testing
The Euro Ball
Testing:
- Rebound: This is important too, to make
sure that the ball bounces in a predictable manner, vital in top
class matches. The football is dropped, in guided free fall and
with a defined velocity, onto a steel surface. With the help of
a video camera, the height of rebound at the lower side of the
ball can be determined.
- Water absorption: It is important that a
football does not become too heavy when wet. The conditioned
footballs are placed in a receptacle filled with 2 cm of water.
After being compressed a number of times, with a pneumatic
position to simulate playing conditions, the ball is removed,
wiped dry and reweighed. Its increase in weight is expressed as
a percent of the original weight of the ball, defining precisely
the amount of water that has been absorbed.
- Weight: Weight is vital, because it
ensures a consistent playing response when the ball is struck.
Football samples are inflated and weighed in a standard
atmosphere, with a wind protected electronic balance. The mean
weight as well as the single values of the three fallouts are
recorded in the report.
- Loss of Pressure: The football should
not lose pressure over time, thereby remaining playable. The
balls are inflated to a defined pressure, then left in a
standard atmosphere for a certain period of time, after which
the pressure is measured again.
- Shape and Size Retention ("FIFA
Approved" only): This test is designed to ensure that
the footballs last, even in the most challenging situations. The
footballs are inflated to a defined pressure. Two rotating
cylinders accelerate the balls to a specific velocity, so that
they hit a steel panel at a consistent speed and angle. The
footballs are examined after 2000 shots and the increase in
circumference and deviations on sphericity are measured. The
testing procedures and designations offer many benefits to those
who buy footballs including guaranteed quality, value for money
and better playing performance.
Detailed FIFA test requirements
Referees of FIFA and Confederation matches are
among the beneficiaries. They simply have to check that the ball
carries one of the three marks and that the pressure is correct,
rather than having to check weight, circumference and other details
before matches.
The testing criteria are indeed tough, but they
have been set by the industry itself. Only the best products pass
the test, which means that the new standards are worthwhile.
Licensees include most of the major leading brands and also
manufacturers from India, China, Thailand and Japan, showing that
the value put on the FIFA mark is as universal as football itself.
Related FIFA Magazine Articles:
Getting
tough with the Balls
The Denominations Programme is based on a series of laboratory tests
- but just how tough are these tests? How many footballs actually
fail to meet the required standards - and why? 17-Jun-1998
What
Players think of the Modern Ball
We look at the effect the Programme has
had on the game itself. Has it improved skill levels? Has the job of
match officials been made any easier - and have there been any
medical benefits or all-round improvements? 10-Dec-1998
Information and articles graciously provided by FIFA. www.fifa.com
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