ESA membership options and fees

Types of membership

The ESA offers four types of membership, depending on the nature of the product or service provided by the applicant.

Full membership

Limited to sealing device manufacturers with production facilities in Europe and UK. 

Members may be independent companies, or European subsidiaries of groups and companies with headquarters overseas.

Associate membership

Open to companies engaged in the business of manufacturing and supplying the fluid sealing industry with raw materials, equipment or services.

Also open to companies which manufacture outside Europe and UK and supply fluid sealing products in Europe and UK.

Scientific membership

By invitation of the Executive Committee

Open to institutes with specific knowledge or expertise of major relevance to the sealing industry.

For a period of 3 years, after which it may be renewed by the Executive Committee, with no limit to the number of renewals.

Consulting membership

By personal invitation of the Executive Committee 

Open to persons with specific knowledge or expertise of major relevance to the sealing industry

For a period of 3 years, after which it may be renewed by the Executive Committee, with no limit to the number of renewals.

Membership fees

Full and Associate members pay an annual membership contribution on an equal, flat-rate basis, independent of company size. The contribution level is set annually by the members at the AGM, based on the recommendation of the ESA Executive Committee. Scientific membership is 50% of this level. Consulting membership is free.

  • Annual contribution for 2026 and membership: €6,900
  • Initial joining fee (applied in first year): €1,500
  • Prompt-payment discount for all annual invoices settled before the end of March of the new year
  • After the first year of becoming a member, the membership fee can be reduced by taking up a position within any of the divisions or the Executive Committee, or by writing an article for a publication (maximum reduction in fees €1,000 per annum)

Members wishing to leave the ESA are required to give six months’ notice in writing. If membership is later resumed, the joining fee will be applied again in the first year.

Apply for membership

Membership has been open to organisations with significant presence based in Europe/UK only. Membership contributions therefore reflect a level of professionalism and dedication expected of the industry leaders.

The annual contribution is set at a level to ensure that the ESA will have adequate funding available for worthy activities. In return, those companies which are prepared to commit the resources and time will gain the maximum benefit.

The Association operates with tight control of its costs and deliberately maintains a reserve fund (equivalent to approximately one year’s expenditure) for use in case of priority need if appropriate.