FIFA Quality Programme for

VAR Technology
How to obtain certification for
VAR technology
August 2021, version 2.0
Introduction
The use of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) has been successfully implemented by FIFA at the FIFA World
Cup Russia 2018™ and has been used in many competitions since then. The VARs are there to support the
main referee with additional information in 4 match changing scenarios in case the initial decision by the
main referee was a clear and obvious mistake. While there are several soft factors that have had an
influence on the successful use of VAR, the technology component is usually integrated into an existing
broadcasting system. The quality of this installation is essential in order to provide the VARs with a
reliable, high quality video feed.

Image 1 Video Assistant Referees working at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™

The FIFA Quality Programme has now launched a test procedure for VAR technologies with the aim to
validate the technical integration of the system into the broadcasting set-up. In order to establish
technical guidelines for VAR systems that wish to be approved for use in the game of football a research
project was undertaken by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB on behalf of FIFA. The project aimed to
identify key areas of technical importance for VAR systems, develop a methodology behind quantifying
these factors and establishing objective test methods that could be used to ensure that a system can
provide an adequate solution. FIFA has now developed a range of tests which access the latency and the
synchronicity of the video feeds, as well as the quality of the video feed provided to the VAR’s.

The tests are organised by FIFA in cooperation with an independent test institute and certified systems
will be listed on the Football Technology Innovation website www.football-technology.fifa.com for end-
user guidance.

The following document is a guide for any company seeking to test and certify their tracking devices to the
requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme.

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 1

 Certification process for Video Assistant Refereeing Systems
This document contains information for any VAR provider on the process to obtain FIFA certification for
their VAR system. The certification is solely focussed on the technical aspects of latency, synchronicity and
video quality.

NOTE: The set-up, installation and operation of a VAR system does not constitute a part of this
certification. Competition organisers have to require the approval by the International Football
Association Board (IFAB) by following the Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP).

Any provider that wishes to have their system approved and certified in accordance with the FIFA Quality
Programme must comply with the following steps and fulfil all criteria:

Step Action

Company profile
Step 1 | Application &
☐ General liability insurance & Product liability insurance
requesting the test
Details on the system to be tested

Test at an official FIFA Test Event with a FIFA-accredited

Step 2 | Field Test ☐
test institute

Licence agreement with FIFA

Step 3 | Licence Agreement ☐
Administration fee to be paid

Submission of positive test report by the FIFA-accredited

Step 4 | FIFA Certification ☐ test institute
Approval to use VAR Technology

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 2

Step 1 | Application & requesting the test

For the application as a licensee and the participation at the test events for VAR Technology, interested
providers shall submit the below information. Please fill this information out carefully as it is to be used as basis
for the Licence Agreement.

Company Profile

Registered company name Click or tap here to enter text.

Legal address Click or tap here to enter text.

Main business Click or tap here to enter text.

Contact person Click or tap here to enter text.

Person(s) authorised to sign Click or tap here to enter text.

(contract)
E-Mail address Click or tap here to enter text.

Phone number Click or tap here to enter text.

Product Brand Name Click or tap here to enter text.

Insurance

The proof of a General Liability Insurance and a Product Liability Insurance during the whole period is an
essential part of the Licence Agreement. This insurance is primarily in the interest of the licensee itself to ensure
protection in case of any claim in connection with the use of the system. In order to be eligible to enter into a
Licence Agreement with FIFA, the following criteria must be met:

General Liability Insurance & Product Liability Insurance – minimum Requirements

1 Insurance in the name of the licensee (policyholder)
Territorial scope of application: worldwide coverage needed (incl. USA & Canada), no exclusions
2
allowed
3 Period – Coverage needed throughout whole contract period
4 FIFA must be named as a co-insured party
5 Coverage: A minimum of CHF 5 million per claim

If the national insurance market does not provide adequate insurance solutions, it is helpful and constructive to
use an insurance broker with access to the international insurance market. The applicant has to provide written
confirmation from the insurance company that the insurances will be concluded as per the terms and conditions
of the Licence Agreement.

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 3

Details of product to be tested

Product details

Name of product Click or tap here to enter text.

Product code (if applicable) Click or tap here to enter text.

Version of the software Click or tap here to enter text.

Any other relevant information Click or tap here to enter text.

Step 2 | Field Test

Each system must have been tested in accordance with the test manual for the FIFA Quality Programme for
Video Assistant Referee Technology and provide a passed test report from an independent FIFA-accredited test
institute in relation to this test.

FIFA will be offering test events on a regular basis (approx. every 6 or as per market request). Each test event
will have a minimum broadcast setup of 4 cameras and tests will be performed as per the FIFA testing protocol.
Testing will be carried out by FIFA-accredited Test Institute. Outside of these official test events, there is no
current possibility of being tested.

Further information about upcoming test events are available on www.football-technology.fifa.com or will be
provided upon request ([email protected]).

Step 3 | Licence Agreement

Following submission of the company details and the positive test report, FIFA will provide a standard licence
agreement for the provider to sign. This agreement provides the official basis for the certification to be possible
and governs the use of the FIFA marks and outlines the details of the product certification such as rights and
obligations for both parties arising from this approval.

Companies who decide not to sign a Licence Agreement with FIFA will not receive an official FIFA test report
with detailed test results from FIFA or the FIFA-accredited test institute.

Step 4 | Approval & publication

Upon both parties signing the contract licensed providers will receive the official FIFA test report, a FIFA
certificate for their VAR Technology and will be listed on the website as a licensed manufacturer: www.football-
technology.fifa.com. This list is updated on a daily basis and constitutes the only confirmation (with the
certificate) of the system’s approval. FIFA does not issue any letters or confirmation e-mails to any providers.

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 4

Annex 1: Frequently Asked Questions

Contract

What is the contract period?

The agreement is a standard contract and is valid for 2 years.

What happens with my products if my contract expires?

Certified products will be listed on FIFA’s website until the expiration of the certification status. A re-test of the
products without a valid Licence Agreement is not possible.

Which marketing rights will I get by signing the contract?

The company and all certified products will be listed on FIFA’s website (football-technology.fifa.com).
Additionally, company receives the right to use the FIFA Quality marks in connection with their tested and
certified products.

Implementation and Approval Acceptance Protocol (IAAP)

What is the IAAP?

The Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) is a mandatory approval process that each
competition organiser has to pass through when using VAR in official matches. In a 5 step process the IAAP
supports competition organisers during the VAR implementation phase.

Who is responsible to initiate the IAAP?

It is the responsibility of the competition organiser to initiate the process with The IFAB. However, FIFA
Licensees for VAR Technology are obliged to inform FIFA about any potential competition if the competition
organiser fails to do so.

How is the FIFA Certification linked to the IAAP?

The FIFA Certification of a VAR Technology does not substitute the need to follow through the IAAP. Both
processes shall be organised independently. The IAAP is a process that supports the competition organiser with
the selection and implementation of VAR Technology. The FIFA Certification is a technical assessment of the
providers system.

Product certification

What is the certification period?

Products that were successfully tested to the FIFA Quality standard for VAR will be certified for 2 years (24
months) from the day of the approval of the test results by FIFA.

What happens when the certification expires?

In order to be used in accordance with the Laws of the Game, VAR systems need to comply with the quality
requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme. VAR products therefore need to be certified and re-tested every 2
years. To apply for a re-test, contact FIFA ([email protected]) or consult FIFAs website (football-
technology.fifa.com) to find out about the next VAR test event.

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 5

Product Test

How much does it cost to test my product?

To cover the costs of the test event including stadium rental, broadcast services and test institute FIFA will
charge a test fee for the participation at the event.

Will I receive a test report?

The test institute will share the test results and a test report with FIFA. Once the Licence Agreement is signed,
FIFA will share the detailed test report with the company.

FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology 6