Ever been curious about what goes into making a competition swimsuit? Competitive swimming has strict rules on what swimwear can be used in official meets. World Aquatics (formerly FINA) regulates these standards globally, and many national federations (like Swimming Australia) have additional guidelines, especially for younger swimmers. This guide covers how suits get approved, what the approval logos mean (including the familiar “World Aquatics Approved”/“FINA Approved” mark and the green tick seen on some suits in Australia), age-based restrictions, tech suits vs training suits, and banned gear.
How Manufacturers Get World Aquatics Approval
Application Process: Swimsuit manufacturers must apply to World Aquatics to get a competition suit approved. This involves an online application where the company provides detailed info and technical drawings of the product. If the company is new to the system, they contact the World Aquatics office to set up an account. Along with the application form, the manufacturer sends in physical samples: typically one sample of the swimsuit (each model) plus at least a 1m² swatch of each fabric used. These samples are tested by independent experts appointed by World Aquatics.
Testing and Approval: The World Aquatics Swimwear Approval Commission (formerly FINA SAC) oversees testing for compliance with all technical criteria. Tests might be done at specialised labs (previously, e.g., at EPFL in Lausanne). Key measurements include fabric thickness, buoyancy, and permeability (more on those below). If a suit passes, World Aquatics will add it to the official Approved Swimwear List (published each year). If it fails, the manufacturer is given reasons and can sometimes re-submit after fixes.
Fees: There is an administrative cost to apply. For example, World Aquatics charges about €1,000 per swimsuit model, plus fees per material and other components (e.g. €375 per fabric type). Caps and goggles can also be approved (for a fee of ~€750 each model). Only after paying these fees and passing tests will a suit receive the official approval.
Technical Guidelines for Approved Swimwear
Suits must meet detailed technical requirements to ensure fairness and safety. Here are the key criteria that World Aquatics checks before granting approval for any swimsuit:
Requirement |
Key points |
|---|
| Coverage | Men: waist‑to‑knee jammers; Women: shoulders‑to‑knee one‑piece (open back/shoulders). |
| Textile only | Woven, knitted or braided fabric; no neoprene or polyurethane sheaths. |
| Thickness | ≤ 0.8 mm (seams may be thicker if functional). |
| Buoyancy | ≤ 0.5 N upward force. |
| Permeability | Fabric must allow water through; suit must “get wet”. |
| Construction | No zips; seams must be flat and purely structural; no electronics or chemical release. |
| One‑suit rule | Only one swimsuit (one or two pieces) may be worn. |
Breaking these down further:
Design & Coverage
For pool swimming, men's suits must sit between the navel and the knee. Women's suits can't cover the neck, go past the shoulders, or extend below the knee. This standardises silhouettes to jammers for men and various open-shoulder/back kneeskin styles for women. Suits must also meet standards of decency and good taste. In open water races (where water is warm enough), suits can cover down to the ankles for both genders, but still cannot cover the neck or shoulders.
Fabric – Textile Only
Material must be a "textile fabric" – think traditional woven or knitted materials like nylon, Lycra, polyester blends. Smooth, rubbery materials like neoprene or the polyurethane sheets seen in the 2008-09 "super-suit" era are banned. Surface treatments (like coatings) can't block the fabric's natural mesh structure, ensuring it remains permeable. The fabric also needs to be flexible and soft, not rigid.
Thickness
The suit material (including layers) cannot exceed 0.8 millimetres. This prevents bulky, potentially buoyant or insulating panels. Seams are exempt if they are purely functional.
Buoyancy
Suits cannot provide more than 0.5 Newtons of buoyant force (about 50 grams worth). This prevents suits from acting like flotation aids, a key issue with some banned older suits.
Permeability
The fabric must allow water or air to pass through at a minimum rate (80 litres per square metre per second). This ensures suits don't trap air or water like a wetsuit.
Construction (Seams & Zippers)
No zippers or fasteners are allowed on pool suits. Seams must be functional (holding panels together) and cannot be designed as external ridges or channels. Bonded (glued/welded) flat seams are common and acceptable. Crucially, no external gadgets, electronic stimulation, chemical release systems, or pain reduction features are permitted.
Please note: Swimming Australia - Inclusive swimwear policy 2021 made updates in this area and notably, ties, fasteners and zippers are now allowed as part of the new inclusive swimwear policy. The new policy applies to swimsuits worn within Australian competitions and does allow for new national records to be set within Australia, however the same rules may not apply at an international level.
One Swimsuit Rule
Swimmers can only wear one swimsuit (which can be one or two pieces for women). Layering multiple suits is forbidden. Medical tape requires official approval.
Caps and Goggles Guidelines
While separate from swimsuit approval, World Aquatics also sets rules for caps and goggles:
- Caps: Must follow the natural shape of the head and cannot extend to form a hood or mask. Caps designed for voluminous hair are now permitted after initial controversy (more below).
- Goggles: Must be standard (two lenses, nose bridge, strap). No full face masks or devices covering the nose/mouth are allowed in races.
- Approval: Caps and goggles, especially those with novel designs or materials, can also undergo optional World Aquatics approval to confirm compliance.
Understanding the Approval Logo
Once a suit passes muster, it earns the right to display the official approval logo:
FINA Approved / World Aquatics Approved Labels
This small patch (approx. 35x27 mm), usually on the rear/hip, signifies compliance. Due to the organisation's rebrand in 2023, you'll see older suits with "FINA Approved" and newer ones with "World Aquatics Approved". Both are valid if the suit model remains on the current approved list. The label is permanently bonded to prevent tampering. Every piece of a multi-part suit needs its own label.
The Green Tick Mark
In recent years, some suits (especially in junior sizes or entry-level racing suits) also sport a small green checkmark logo next to the FINA/World Aquatics approval logo. This green tick is not from World Aquatics itself, but rather a mark developed by certain national federations (notably USA Swimming) to denote suits that are approved for 12-and-under age group competition. The background: USA Swimming banned technical suits for swimmers 12 years old and younger in most competitions, with an exception for some lower-cost, beginner racing suits. Those allowable suits tended to still have the FINA approval (since they meet all criteria) but are made of more basic fabric and have stitched seams. To make it easy to identify them, USA Swimming introduced a green check mark on the suit’s label for any FINA-approved suit that is deemed “12&U legal”. Manufacturers now include this mark on suits that qualify. For example, a kid’s racing jammer might show the standard FINA logo plus a green tick, indicating it’s an approved suit that junior swimmers can wear under the tech suit restrictions.
Rules in Australia - does the green tick apply?
In Australia (and other countries) it's slightly more confusing. We have to remember that not all swimsuit manufacturers operate out of the USA or need to include the green tick on their swimsuits. Some of the States within Australia also have slightly different rules for each state and for different age groups to each other. Even if the local rule doesn’t explicitly require it, if your swimsuit includes the Green Tick on it, it still serves as a handy visual cue that “this suit is okay for junior competitions.”
If your child's swimsuit does not include a green tick, it may still be legal to wear it in junior competitions, but you'll need to refer to your state or local meet's local swimsuit policy. It usually comes down to the coverage level of the swimsuit, the level of compression that the suit provides and whether or not the suit uses bonded/sealed seams, meshed seams or kinetic tape.
Victoria
11 & Under Technical/Performance suit policy
https://vic.swimming.org.au/news-articles/find-out-more-about-our-11-under-swimsuit-policy-update
New South Wales
https://nsw.swimming.org.au/news-articles/guidance-use-performance-suits-younger-swimmers
Western Australia
If a suit has no FINA logo at all, it’s usually a regular practice suit (legal for kids by default, since it’s not a “tech” suit).
If in doubt, please feel free to contact us at racereadyswim.com.au and we can help answer this question for you.
What Swimwear and Gear is NOT Allowed in Meets?
To keep competition focused on the athlete, several items are prohibited under World Aquatics rules:
Non-Approved Swimsuits
Any suit not on the official list or clearly violating the basic rules (e.g., wrong coverage, non-textile material like neoprene wetsuits in pool races, excessive thickness/buoyancy) is banned. This includes the infamous full-body polyurethane suits from 2009. Open water rules also dictate when wetsuits are allowed or banned based on water temperature.
Multiple Suits: Layering swimsuits is not permitted.
Tape or Body Aids: Adhesive tapes (like kinesiology tape) generally require prior approval from officials for medical reasons. Devices providing pain relief or performance enhancement are banned. No flotation aids, weights, or other devices.
Non-Compliant Swim Caps: Caps extending beyond the head shape (like hoods) or with external features are disallowed. While double-capping (latex under silicone) is common practice and allowed, modified caps are not.
Non-Standard Goggles/Masks: Full face masks, snorkels, or goggles covering the nose are banned in races. Smart goggles with displays or communication are also prohibited.
Training Aids: Fins, paddles, snorkels, kickboards, webbed gloves, swim socks, etc., are strictly for training, not racing.
Accessories: While minor jewellery like wedding rings might be seen, smartwatches or pacing devices are banned. Noise-making devices are also not allowed (official start devices for hearing-impaired swimmers are an exception).
Excessive Logos/Messages: There are limits on the size and number of manufacturer logos. Political or inappropriate messages are forbidden.
Historical Context: Why So Strict? The Super-Suit Ban
The current detailed rules stem directly from the "super-suit" era of 2008-2009. Advanced suits, particularly full-body polyurethane models like the Speedo LZR Racer, led to an unprecedented wave of world records. The 2009 Rome World Championships saw records tumble almost daily, raising concerns that technology was eclipsing athletic prowess. In response, FINA implemented the current textile-only, coverage-limited rules from 2010 onwards, bringing the focus back to the swimmer.
Inclusive Swimwear Developments
World Aquatics rules continue to evolve. Notably:
- Soul Cap: After initial rejection caused backlash, larger swim caps designed for voluminous natural hair (like the Soul Cap) were approved in 2022, promoting inclusivity.
- Period-Proof Suits: In 2023, rules were clarified to allow absorbent gussets in women's suits for menstruation. These areas can be slightly thicker (up to 2.5mm) and don't need to meet permeability standards, offering a practical solution for female athletes.
Caps and Goggles Fun Fact
While you can technically wear multiple caps (and many swimmers wear two for a better fit and drag reduction), there are no rules limiting the number. If goggles come off during a race dive, swimmers usually continue without them; they cannot receive outside help to fix them mid-race. Backup goggles are often seen on the blocks, ready in case of a mishap before the start.
Tip: Checking for Approval
If you're buying a competition suit, look for the "FINA Approved" or "World Aquatics Approved" label. You can also verify a specific model against the official list published on the World Aquatics website.
In summary
The World Aquatics approval process is a cornerstone of fair play in international swimming. By setting strict standards for swimsuit design, materials, and construction, it ensures that races are decided by skill, training, and determination, not just by the technology worn. When you see that approval logo, you know the suit meets the global standard.
