Approved Equipment

In addition to certification by test, manufacturers must provide attestations about the materials and construction of their products. This includes declarations on materials and compliance with specific construction standards.

Once certified, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that production units continue to meet the same specifications as the original certified samples. USA Pickleball inspects market samples to confirm compliance. If a product is found to be non-compliant, USA Pickleball works with the manufacturer to address the issue and ensure future compliance.

Equipment is decertified when it fails to meet the conditions of its certification. This includes any inaccuracies in its initial disclosures or failure to maintain consistent production standards. With growing concerns about paddles improving in performance as they “break in,” a paddle must comply with all certification requirements throughout its entire lifecycle.

At the time of submission, the paddles met all certification requirements. However, that was based on manufacturers confirmation that the paddles did not create a “trampoline effect.” A recent, industry-validated test was developed to detect for this (trampoline) condition, referred to as PBCoR. Paddles exceeding the threshold in this test are now in violation of rule 2.E.6.f and are decertified.

In late 2023 and into 2024, paddles with higher power profiles began to appear in market. This raised concerns about maintaining the integrity of the sport, as such paddles could present safety issues and provide unfair advantages resulting in inequality of play. In response, USA Pickleball accelerated the development of a power test to limit such paddles, implementing this new standard in the same year.

Decertification is a critical process that must be implemented without delay to protect the integrity and safety of the sport. While we recognize the timing may be challenging for some, the urgency of addressing this issue meant the decision could not be deferred due to external factors, such as tournament schedules or holidays. Our primary responsibility is to ensure fair play and compliance with safety standards, which is why this action was taken as quickly as possible.

The “sunset period” refers to the time between the announcement of decertification and the actual decertification date. Typically, this is 18 months, but due to the urgent concerns raised by the new power paddles, USA Pickleball implemented a shorter timeline to address non-compliance with rule 2.E.6.f.

Yes. Manufacturers have full visibility into the standards, specifications and testing protocols used for certification. They can even visit our independent third-party lab, Element U.S. Space & Defense, or remotely observe the testing of their products. The Equipment Standards Manual, which outlines all technical specifications, is publicly available.

Refund or exchange policies depend on the manufacturer, and many may offer an exchange if purchased after a certain date. Please reach out to the manufacturer of your equipment for their company’s return and exchange policy.

The decertification only applies to sanctioned tournament play. Players can still use the paddles for recreational play.

USA Pickleball is a non-profit organization committed to fair play. We aim to create a level playing field for both manufacturers and players. Our Form 990, which includes full financial disclosure of sponsors and donors, is published annually and available to the public.

Players can visit the USA Pickleball website, for an up-to-date database of current approved equipment. Updates are posted regularly on our homepage, in the news section and on the equipment page.