FIFA Certifications

If you're looking for a top-quality soccer ball, the absolute safest route is to look for either the 'FIFA Approved' or 'FIFA Inspected' logos, or the 'International Matchball Standard (IMS)' wording.

FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the governing body for world soccer, has a rigorous inspection and approval process for match-level soccer balls.

Since January 1, 1996, the only soccer balls allowed for use in outdoor international FIFA competition matches and those matches conducted by the six continental Confederations are those bearing the official logos of 'FIFA Approved' or 'FIFA Inspected' or the wording 'International Matchball Standard (IMS)'.

There are ultimately seven tests performed on balls submitted for these designations. The first six apply for balls seeking the FIFA Inspected and IMS designation and all seven are performed on balls seeking the FIFA Approve designation. The standards are more rigorous for those balls submitted for FIFA Approved status. All the tests for the FIFA Approved and FIFA Inspected designations are conducted by EMPA, the Swiss Federal Test Laboratory in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

The tests are:
1. Weight - all balls must fit into a specific weight range to ensure a consistent playing response.
2. Circumference - the test balls are inflated and the diameter is recorded at multiple spots to ensure a balanced soccer ball that moves predictably.
3. Sphericity (roundness) - similar tests as circumference to ensure the ball flies in a predictable pattern when struck.
4. Loss of Air Pressure - the balls are inflated to a specific pressure and at the end of a 72-hour period, they are tested for the percentage of air pressure lost.
5. Water Absorption - this tests the percentage of water absorbed by balls places in a tank filled with 2 cm of water and compressed 250 times.
6. Rebound - to make certain the ball bounces predictably, the balls are dropped onto a steel plate and the height of the rebound is measured.
7. Shape and Size Retention - balls are shot at a steel plate 2,000 times, and are then tested for changes in circumference, sphericity and air pressure.

For more info and exact test specifications, please visit the FIFA official page on Football (soccer) Test Criteria. Below are the 'FIFA Approved' and 'FIFA Inspected' logos.