UK REACH publishes work programme for 2022-2023

On June 30, 2022, UK Reach published its work programme for 2022/23.   . This includes topics that will be of interest to ESTC members operating in the UK market as follows. Priorities for the 2022-2023 UK Reach Work Programme  1. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Description of proposal A proposal to investigate the risks of […]

Draft German test method to determine microplastics emissions due to wear

The German based Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e. V.(Landscape Development and Landscaping Research Association) (FLL) have been working with the German synthetic turf industry to develop a test method to assess the potential for synthetic turf fibre yarns to wear and create microplastics. The researchers have published their draft test method and are currently inviting comments […]

The EC adopts revised recommendation on the use of PEFs

Product Environmental Footprints (PEF) are the method of environmental life cycle analysis that the European Commission has developed for products and services being placed onto the European market.  The PEF method measures and communicates  the environmental performance of goods, services and organisations across their whole lifecycle. They cover 16 environmental impacts, including climate change, and […]

CEN to develop new standard on minimum durability, environmental and toxicological requirements

Recognising the increasing regulatory focus on the environmental and sustainability properties of synthetic turf sports surfaces, the European Standards committee CEN TC 217 WG6 has agreed to develop a new standard to specify minimum durability, environmental and toxicological requirements for tufted, woven, and knitted carpets used in synthetic turf sports surfaces. It is envisaged this […]

ESTC publishes guide on end of life synthetic turf

Upon the initiative of the ESTC End of Life Working Group, a new guidance document relating to End Of Life solutions for the synthetic turf industry has been created. As the demand and need to dispose of end of life synthetic turf surfaces in an environmentally-sensitive way grows, ESTC members are making major investments in […]

ESTC organises webinar on how to deal with end of life turf

Today there are over 35,000 full size synthetic turf fields and many thousands of synthetic turf smaller community areas, tennis courts, etc.  That means that in the next 10 years or so over 245 million square meters of synthetic turf will reach its end of life. At the time these facilities were built end-of-life disposal […]

New ECHA Investigation Report on substances in infill material

NEW ECHA ANNEX XV INVESTIGATION REPORT Prioritisation and preliminary risk assessment of SUBSTANCES IN INFILL MATERIAL The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has recently published a new Annex XV Investigation Report “Investigation into whether substances in infill material cause risks to the environment and human health that are not adequately controlled – prioritisation and preliminary risk […]

Colin Young named 2020 Personality of the synthetic turf industry

ESTC members vote for individual who has made a positive difference to ESTC and the industry Colin Young of the TenCate Grass Group is the winner of the inaugural ESTC Personality Award,voted for by members of the ESTC. The ESTC Personality Award recognises an individual who has made a positive difference to ESTC and the […]

Why ECHA has asked for a supplementary opinion

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has requested its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) to prepare a supplementary opinion on the restriction dossier on intentionally added microplastics with regards to polymeric infill used in third-generation synthetic turf fields. We would like to share some background and context as to why this request was made. Since the delivery […]

FIH releases new Hockey Turf & Field Standards for 2021

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that the FIH Quality Programme – which is designed to ensure good quality hockey facilities are built for all levels of play, from elite level competition to community development – has released the latest updates to its Hockey Turf & Field Standards for 11-a-side fields and […]