It is estimated that there are about 19 000 injuries per year associated with fairgrounds and amusement parks throughout the EU.

Fairgrounds and amusement parks - situation

In the last 20 years, there has been a steady increase in large amusement parks with ever more extreme rides. There are now rides with speeds of over 170 km/h, and some with falls of over 100 metres. In 2004, the number of amusement parks in the European Union ranged from 180 to 320, depending on the definition, and they received nearly 300 million visitors per year.

Despite the current gaps and inconsistencies in the data on accidents at fairgrounds and amusement parks, they are estimated to result in some 19 000 injuries per year. Most of the accidents involve children under 15.

Assessment of best practice

In response to the expansion of the sector and the growing number of ride-related injuries, the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection commissioned risk & policy analysts to undertake an assessment of best practice for consumer safety in fairgrounds and amusement parks.

The report identifies and describes the existing regulatory and non-regulatory measures aiming at consumer safety in fairgrounds and amusement parks and presents different options for improvement.

The report was funded by the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for any use that might be made of the information. The information contained in these reports does not necessarily reflect the opinion or the position of the European Commission.

English version of the report.

Version française du rapport.