Restriction of PAHs in rubber particles and mulch of reach new sports ground

The European Commission issued in its official gazette on July 20, 2021, an amendment to the REACH Regulation (EC) no 1907/2006, annex XVII, item 50 PAHs, regulation (EU) 2021/1199, which determined to expand the PAHs limits, and added the laying of artificial turf, playground and golf course Eight PAHs restrictions on rubber particles and coverings used in sports venues such as racetrack and shooting field. The regulation will come into force on the 20th day after the official gazette is published.

The following paragraph has been added to column 2 of Article 50 of annex XVII to reach:

9. If the total amount of listed PAHs contained in particles or covers exceeds 20mg / kg (0.002% by weight), they shall not be put on the market as filling materials for artificial turf sites, or used in loose form in playground or sports applications.

10. Particles or coverings containing more than 20 mg / kg (0.002% by weight) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons shall not be used as filling materials for artificial turf sites or in loose form for playground or sports applications.

11. Particles or coverings placed on the market as artificial turf site filling materials, or loose forms used in playground or sports applications shall be marked with the unique identification number of the batch.

12. Paragraphs 9 to 11 will enter into force on 10 August 2022.

13. Particles or coverings used as filling materials for artificial turf sites in the EU on August 9, 2022, or in loose form in sports grounds or sports applications, may remain in place and continue to be used for the same purpose.

14. For the purposes of paragraphs 9 to 13:

(a) "Particle" means a mixture of solid particles with a size of 1 to 4 mm, which are made of rubber or other vulcanized or polymeric materials from recycled or original sources, or obtained from natural sources;

(b) "Covering" is a mixture of 4 to 130 mm long and 10 to 15 mm wide, which is in the form of flake solid particles, made of rubber or other vulcanized or polymeric materials from recyclable or original sources, or obtained from natural sources;

(c) The "filling material of artificial turf field" is composed of particles used for artificial turf field, so as to improve the technical performance of artificial turf system;

(d) "Use in loose form on the playground or in sports applications" means the use of particles or covers in loose form on the playground or for sports purposes, rather than as filling material for artificial turf sites.