USA Pickleball Statements on De-Certified JOOLA Paddles and Equipment Testing Standards
June 4, 2024
USA Pickleball Updated Statement on JOOLA:
USA Pickleball recently de-listed certain paddles after JOOLA notified USA Pickleball that it had previously submitted the wrong paddles for certification (see USA Pickleball statement posted on May 16). JOOLA also informed USA Pickleball that it intended to submit additional paddles for certification.
USA Pickleball received and tested the newly submitted paddles, which did not meet our approved equipment standards. As a result, these paddles have not been added to the USA Pickleball approved equipment list.
As pickleball’s governing body in the United States, USA Pickleball takes its certifications, rules and regulations seriously to ensure integrity and fairness for all players.
USA Pickleball utilizes a third-party testing facility that holds approved equipment to an extremely rigorous process and the highest testing standards and will evaluate those submissions for compliance with USA Pickleball’s equipment standards. For a full list of affected and approved paddles, visit www.equipment.usapickleball.org.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why were the JOOLA Gen 3 approved in the first place?
JOOLA only recently notified USA Pickleball that the paddles on the market are not the same paddle certified by USA Pickleball. As JOOLA explained, JOOLA submitted the wrong samples to USA Pickleball under an Application for Certification by Similarity process. That process involves, among other things, signed attestations by the manufacturer that the samples are structurally and functionally identical to a previously approved paddle and comply with other equipment standards.
How does USAP manage compliance after a paddle is launched?
Market compliance samples are discreetly acquired, screened, and, if necessary, tested at an independent lab. Scrutiny of potentially non-compliant equipment may be triggered for different reasons, such as market inputs, firsthand evaluation, or potential risk factors relevant to certification specifications.
What’s your process when a paddle is not compliant after launch?
If a paddle fails market sample testing, USA Pickleball’s response depends on the individualized circumstances. Among other options, that response may involve additional testing, de-listing the paddle, or launching a Notice of Escape process to scope the issue. The Notice of Escape process includes an assessment of the root cause of the non-compliance, the affected population, a remedial process (Corrective Action Plan - CAP), etc.
Is there a formal appeal and resolution process?
As USA Pickleball did with this recent scenario, we will communicate directly with the manufacturer to address the non-compliance. That communication may include, where applicable, discussing the possibility of pursuing the Notice of Escape process noted above.
Why did this issue take weeks after launch to be addressed?
Incorrect. USA Pickleball communicated concerns to JOOLA prior to the launch. As soon as JOOLA notified USA Pickleball that the wrong paddles had been submitted for similarity certification (meaning that non-certified paddles were now available for sale), we took immediate action to remove those models from the approved equipment list. JOOLA subsequently submitted additional paddles for certification. These additional paddles also failed a rigorous process of 3rd party certification testing, so these paddles remain non-certified.
Isn’t there a rule about giving 18 months notice to disapprove a paddle?
Rule 2.F.1 addresses certain situations, but it does not cover every possible situation requiring de-certification, such as a manufacturer’s submission of the wrong paddles for certification. Rule 2.F.1 addresses, for example, “materially changed” equipment or equipment that “materially degrades or changes under ordinary use so as to significantly alter the nature of the sport.” Where applicable, Rule 2.F.1 may allow a manufacturer to adapt processes, manage supply chain issues, etc. for properly certified paddles. In the case of discrepancies in design, process, materials, or manufacturer declarations, the need for a Corrective Action Plan may be immediate.
Why have out-of-spec issues (e.g. surface roughness) rarely been dealt with?
We have had several Notice of Escape processes over the years. Depending on the nature, scope, and process controls identifying and addressing the affected population, the resulting actions may or may not be visible to the broader market.
Why does USA Pickleball ban specific paddles?
Our standards and process are followed consistently with all equipment certifications. We are continuing to enhance our testing methods to ensure compliance to standards. We recently invited manufacturers to our 3rd party testing lab to share specifics of our testing and also our plans to enhance our testing methods with the desire of increasing understanding and transparency in our processes. We are also planning recurring meetings with manufacturers to solicit feedback and enhance transparency.
May 16, 2024
USA Pickleball Statement on JOOLA:
To our valued USA Pickleball community --
As pickleball’s governing body in the United States, USA Pickleball takes its certifications, rules and regulations seriously to ensure integrity and fairness for all players.
On May 14 and 15, JOOLA informed USA Pickleball that JOOLA submitted the wrong paddles for certification in November 2023. As a result, USA Pickleball promptly de-listed the affected paddles from its Approved Paddle list. Paddles that do not appear on USA Pickleball’s Approved Paddle list are not certified for use in USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments.
Since de-listing, JOOLA has informed USA Pickleball that it intends to submit additional paddles to USA Pickleball for certification. USA Pickleball utilizes a third-party testing facility that holds approved equipment to an extremely rigorous process and the highest testing standards and will evaluate those submissions for compliance with USA Pickleball’s equipment standards.
USA Pickleball will continue to evaluate paddles in the market in order to ensure our existing set of standards are being met. For a full list of approved paddles, visit www.equipment.usapickleball.org.
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Please note that, effectively immediately, the following select JOOLA paddle makes and models are no longer USA Pickleball Approved.
Which JOOLA paddles are affected?
- Tyson McGuffin Magnus 3 14mm
- Tyson McGuffin Magnus 3 16mm
- Collin Johns Scorpeus 3 16mm
- Anna Bright Scorpeus 3 14mm
- Simone Jardim Hyperion 3 16mm
- Ben Johns Hyperion 3 16mm
- Ben Johns Hyperion 3 14mm
- Ben Johns Perseus 3 14mm
- Ben Johns Perseus 3 16mm
- Perseus Alpha 2024 16mm
- Perseus Alpha 2024 14mm
- Magnus Alpha 2024 16mm
- Magnus Alpha 2024 14mm
- Hyperion Alpha 2024 16mm
- Hyperion Alpha 2024 14mm
- Scorpeus Alpha 2024 16mm
- Scorpeus Alpha 2024 14mm
