CEN to look at sampling protocols for synthetic tuf infill materials

Following a request from ESTO the European Standards Committee (CEN) under technical committee CEN TC 217 has formed a task group to  develop a common European approach to the production and field sampling of infill materials used in synthetic turf surfaces for testing.

ESTO saw the need for such an approach, as it became aware of a number of countries starting to develop their own procedures for robust quality control to assure that only infill materials of known quality and REACH compliance entered the market.  Whilst understanding and supporting the need for good quality control procedures that will help reassure the public about the quality on infill materials being used in sports fields, ESTO is concerned that developing these at a national level could result in many different procedures, that could inhibit the free trade of infill materials between countries.

Under the convenorship of ESTO Technical Consultant, Alastair Cox, the new CEN Task Group will meet for the first time in mid March.  Experts from a number of European countries will join the meeting and ESTO will also have direct representation through its official links with CEN.

Further updates and information will be provided as the work of the Task Group progresses.