Pool safety: Italian framework bill approved, Assopiscine welcomes the decision

With the approval on July 30, 2025, by the Council of Ministers of the draft Framework Bill on health and safety in swimming pools, the pool and wellness sector has taken a decisive step toward a long-awaited national regulation. The bill, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Civil Protection and the Ministry of Health, marks a historic moment, aimed at filling a legislative gap and putting an end to the regulatory fragmentation that has long hindered professionals and operators in the field

“We welcome with satisfaction the approval by the Council of Ministers of the draft framework bill on pool safety,” said Ferruccio Alessandria, President of Assopiscine. “It is a concrete first step toward a comprehensive national regulation that our sector has been waiting for years”.

Clear goals to align with European standards

The bill aims to unify the rules across the national territory, overcoming the discrepancies between regions and municipalities. In particular, the new legislation intends to:

• Define minimum safety standards for public and private pools
• Ensure compliance with good hygiene and health practices
• Introduce uniform criteria for the maintenance and management of facilities
• Strengthen staff training and implement self-monitoring and oversight systems

Among the most significant measures are: the mandatory presence of anti-drowning safety devices in all facilities, both public and private; the introduction of periodic self-monitoring plans for water quality; and a dual surveillance system combining internal oversight by pool managers with external inspections carried out by local health authorities (ASLs), including potential sanctions. The aim is to bring the sector into line with the highest European standards, providing greater legal clarity for operators and a safer environment for users.

The draft will now move to Parliament for final approval. “We trust this commitment will lead to the swift transmission and approval of the bill in Parliament, in order to provide the sector with a clear and unified regulatory framework,” concluded the President of Assopiscine, reaffirming the Association’s willingness to actively contribute to the development of clear, practical, and applicable regulations.

Photo by Giovanni Gargiulo