Governance and Institutional Transparency

The credibility of a standardisation body is measured by the transparency of its governance. ESWA publishes the composition of its governing bodies, appointment criteria, potential conflicts of interest, and statutory documents.

OUR VALUES

Values That Guide Us

The principles that guide every decision we make.

Excellence

We set and hold ourselves to the highest standards.

Transparency

Our processes, criteria and decisions are open & clear.

Collaboration

We work with stakeholders, not above them.

Mobility

We believe talent should move freely across borders.

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

To establish and maintain the highest standards for fitness education across Europe, enabling professional mobility and ensuring quality for consumers.

A Europe where every fitness professional can work anywhere, and every consumer can trust the quality of their trainer.

ESWA

European Sport & Wellness Association

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

To establish and maintain the highest standards for fitness education across Europe, enabling professional mobility and ensuring quality for consumers.

A Europe where every fitness professional can work anywhere, and every consumer can trust the quality of their trainer.

ESWA

European Sport & Wellness Association

GOVERNANCE MODEL

Three-Tier Governance Structure

There are three tiers. Independent technical decisions, stakeholder representation, and full accountability.

Board of Directors

Sets strategic direction, approves budgets, and ratifies Observatory rankings. Three-year terms, renewable once. No member may direct an ESWA-accredited school.

Technical Committee

Handles accreditation, equivalence, and ranking decisions with full autonomy from the Board. Independent experts only. Annual conflict-of-interest declarations required.

Advisory Council

Represents accredited schools, certified professionals, facilities, EU institutions, and national regulators. Its approval is required before any major methodology changes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet Our Leadership

Elected leaders guiding our strategic direction

Former Olympic athlete and sports scientist with 25+ years in fitness education. Championing European standards since 2008

Dr. Hans Mueller

President

Dr. Hans Mueller

President

Leading fitness education reformer from Portugal. Expert in cross-border qualification recognition and EQF alignment.

Maria Santos

Vice President

Maria Santos

Vice President

Distinguished academic with expertise in international sports governance. Former UNESCO advisor on physical education.

Prof. Jean-Pierre Dubois

Secretary General

Prof. Jean-Pierre Dubois

Secretary General

Financial management specialist with deep experience in non-profit governance. Ensuring fiscal responsibility since 2015.

Anna Kowalski

Treasurer

Anna Kowalski

Treasurer

FOR SCHOOLS

How To Participate In Governance

ESWA governance is open to sector stakeholder participation.

Accredited Schools

May nominate a representative for the Advisory Council. Elections take place every two years among active accredited schools.

Certified Professionals

May participate in public consultations on methodology and apply as external assessors following appropriate training.

Fitness Facilities

May express a representative on the Advisory Council and participate in thematic working groups.

Institutions and Regulators

National regulators, EU institutions, and standardisation bodies are welcome as permanent observers on the Board and Advisory Council.

Our parnters & organizations our partners work with:

DOWNLOAD

Statutes and Founding Documents

ESWA is an international non-profit registered in Brussels. These documents define our mission, structure, member rights, and decision-making procedures.

ESWA Statutes

Download

Internal Regulations

Download

Code of Ethics

Download

Conflict of Interest Policy

Download

Ready to Join the European Standard?

150,000+ certified professionals. 690+ accredited schools. 27 countries. 4 international corridors. Choose the path that fits your school, trainer, or facility.

Visit our membership page to find the right affiliation path for you and start the process in minutes.

Ready to Join the European Standard?

Visit our membership page to find the right affiliation path for you and start the process in minutes.

Ready to Join the European Standard?

150,000+ certified professionals. 690+ accredited schools. 27 countries. 4 international corridors. Choose the path that fits your school, trainer, or facility.

Visit our membership page to find the right affiliation path for you and start the process in minutes.

Recognised by the European Commission Initiative

ESWA is the European body for the verification, validation, and certification of professional standards in the fitness and wellness sector. House of Sport, Avenue des Arts 43, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium.

© 2026 ESWA. All rights reserved.

Recognised by the European Commission Initiative

ESWA is the European body for the verification, validation, and certification of professional standards in the fitness and wellness sector. House of Sport, Avenue des Arts 43, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium.

© 2026 ESWA. All rights reserved.

Recognised by the European Commission Initiative

ESWA is the European body for the verification, validation, and certification of professional standards in the fitness and wellness sector. House of Sport, Avenue des Arts 43, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium.

© 2026 ESWA. All rights reserved.