It is important not to use one standard as a universal specification for every non-infill turf project.
For example, EN 1177 applies to impact-attenuating playground surfacing. Its current requirements include HIC and peak-acceleration criteria for playground impact attenuation; it is not a general artificial-turf installation or curing standard.
Similarly, standards applicable to synthetic sports surfaces should be selected according to the sport, application and project requirements.
For European sports projects, buyers should consider the relevant EN/DIN/FIFA requirements, while ASTM standards may apply to projects in North America.
One important regulatory point
The EU’s REACH restriction on intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles includes granular infill for synthetic sports surfaces, with the placing-on-the-market restriction taking effect from 17 October 2031 after the specified eight-year transition period. This does not mean that every component of artificial turf is automatically “microplastic-free,” nor does it mean that non-infill turf is automatically compliant with every environmental requirement.
For an EU project, the exact product composition and regulatory obligations should therefore still be documented.
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