The Association was constituted on 5th October 1999.
And from this moment, silent, but constant work has been done, including a multitude of actions, summarised as follows:

Invitation to potential buyers and trade press During the last Swimming Pool Exhibition, ASOFAP was host to 12 potential buyers (Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Arab Emirates, Japan, Morocco and Mexico), together with 7 representatives from the trade press (UK, France,
Germany and Italy).

Single European Standard ASOFAP
invited six Presidents of Professional European Associations (APP, Portugal; ASSOPISCINE, Italy; ATEP, Spain; BSSW, Germany; CSIP, France; SPATA, UK) to the Exhibition to hold a meeting during which it was proposed to look into the possibilities of harmonising a Single European Standard for swimming pools.

Following the set agenda, another meeting was held in Barcelona on 18th February, during which each country presented its internal situation regarding regulations and training. According to the minutes of this meeting, “All participants confirmed that having a Single Standard is an objective that has to be achieved”. On the proposal of the Spanish representatives, it was agreed to set-up a Work Group coordinated by CSIP, as the oldest Association, with the aim of putting forward to the European Commission, and on behalf of all represented Associations, the need for a single directive for the single market, and to request their backing to achieve this objective, of interest both to manufacturers and builders to contribute to trade, and as a health and environment guarantee for all users of Member Countries.

It was also agreed to establish a Single Standard, through a Commission of experts, including all exceptions needed to be studied.

This prior work had to be finalised within a short period, so as not to waste time at meetings unnecessarily, as often occurred.

The third meeting was held in Paris on 26th May. It had been explained at previous meetings how regulations differ from one country to another (there are cases where there are varying regulations within the same country, such as Spain, with 17 different regulations).

The following meeting of the Work Group took place in Lyon during the Piscine 2000 Exhibition.

Training ASOFAP is in full agreement with its European associates of the Work Group that “it is impossible for there to be proper maintenance, safety, the correct application of products, nor the incorporation of new technologies, without swimming pool staff being well-trained”. It is also necessary for training to be certified in all EU countries, in order for the free circulation of people in terms of employment, to be a reality and not simply a declaration of intent. The Work Group was provided with recommendations from French experts regarding training in France, and it was decided to take advantage of the experience of the French in specialist training, and to contact Pierrelatte, the main Institute where Swimming Pool Techniques are taught. Training matters will continue to be discussed at further meetings of the European Work Group.

Overseas Trade With the backing of ICEX, ASOFAP took part in the EQUIPOTEL Exhibition (25th-28th September, São Paolo, Brazil), with a group of Spanish manufacturers. For this occasion, a Manufacturers’ Guide was published, which apart from being handed out to visitors, was mailed to over 1,500 addresses. At PISCINE 2000 (15th-18th November, Lyon, France), ASOFAP is coordinating the participation of 18 Manufacturing Companies, with a total surface area of 921 sq.m., which represents the largest participation that Spain has ever had at the Lyon Exhibition. This exhibition is held alternate years with the Barcelona Swimming Pool Exhibition (17th-20th October 2001, Montjuïc-2).

The participation in PISCINE 2000 has been announced in trade magazines with the highest circulation in Spain and France, and also in the Official Exhibition Catalogue. A leaflet is also being distributed, with the list of exhibitors, which was also handed out during the exhibition together with the Manufacturers’ Guide.

Promotion Plan 2001 ASOFAP has drawn-up a International Promotion Plan of the Sector that includes an ambitious programme of actions: trade missions, market surveys, participation in Exhibitions, advertising in magazines, relations with the trade press, participation in the Barcelona Swimming Pool Exhibition (17th-20th October), guaranteeing excellent promotion of its associates.

Newsletter/Web A newsletter was published, which continues to be edited in a wider and improved fashion. The Association has also created its own web page that can be accessed through. The web contains links with major companies of the industry, and steps are being taken to locate it in the main portals of the net.

Integration in the National Employment Board ASOFAP was accepted as member of this employers’ association on 10th July, benefiting from a valuable source of information of the industry.