Operators of eligible smaller, lower-risk amusement rides, such as kiddy trains and merry-go-rounds, will face lighter regulatory requirements. The move is expected to save operators up to S$20,000 in upfront costs, making it easier for new operators, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to enter the market.
Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is expected to ease regulatory requirements in June next year, removing the need for operators to apply for permits. High-risk amusement rides, however, will remain subject to the relevant regulatory requirements and safety measures.
Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced the move on Thursday (5 November) in a speech at the 2026 Spirit of Enterprise Awards dinner.
Chee said technological advances had brought many smaller, lower-risk amusement rides to the market, including battery-operated kiddy rides and low-speed go-karts in shopping malls. However, the current broad definition of “amusement rides” means that some low-risk rides are also subject to regulatory requirements designed for high-risk rides.
He said: “Some entrepreneurs operating low-speed, battery-operated go-karts for children raised their feedback with me, that the current rules are overly onerous for their rides and resulted in high compliance costs. I agreed with them and asked the BCA to review our rules.”
BCA will adopt a risk-proportionate regulatory approach, easing requirements for lower-risk amusement rides that meet safety standards. These standards will also be clearly defined.
Eligible operators will benefit from lower compliance costs, with estimated savings of up to S$20,000 in one-off upfront costs and S$2,000 in annual recurring costs for each amusement ride.
Under the Amusement Rides Safety Act 2011, permits are required for the installation, modification and operation of all amusement rides in Singapore, including smaller, lower-risk rides.
To keep pace with evolving technology and business models, BCA has exempted battery-operated go-karts that meet specified safety standards from permit requirements since January this year. When the rules are formally eased in June next year, more low-speed amusement rides, including kiddy trains, merry-go-rounds and flume rides, will benefit, provided they meet safety standards.
Easing requirements does not mean lowering safety standards: BCA
BCA stressed that easing permit requirements does not mean lowering safety standards. Operators remain responsible for running rides safely and maintaining them properly. BCA will continue working with all parties to uphold safety standards across the industry.
A BCA spokesperson said an estimated 20% of existing amusement ride operators could benefit from the new rules. The changes are also expected to lower barriers to entry for new businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises.
Amusement ride rental provider Uncle Ringo Trading’s Director Lee Huimin Joyce told Lianhe Zaobao (LHZB) that the easing of rules is expected to bring substantial savings for eligible operators, including recurring compliance costs and professional service fees incurred during the application process.
Lower costs will give operators greater capacity to expand their businesses and more flexibility to introduce new types of amusement rides. Lee said: “This is good for our business, and good for the industry as a whole.”
In his speech, Chee said amusement rides were just one example. Regulatory authorities should be prepared to review any rules that impose unnecessary costs, uncertainty or delays, and find more practical and proportionate ways to achieve the same objectives while maintaining safety.
He said: “Regulators should see themselves as ‘gate keepers’, rather than ‘goal keepers’. The difference is that a goalkeeper will try to block everything to prevent any ball from entering the goal. A gate keeper on the other hand, will have to judge whether someone should be allowed through the gate or denied entry. The gate keeper does not by default block everyone from entering.”
Chee also reminded government agencies that they must be willing to question existing ways of working and seek better approaches, and that businesses could help in this process. “You are closest to the ground and are often the first to see where technology or business models have moved ahead of our rules. So please continue to give us your feedback and suggest practical alternatives where you can.”
