A decision by a European Union committee to restrict microplastics introduced intentionally to many products is set to have a significant impact on the use of recycled rubber and plastic as an infill in artificial sporting surfaces.
At the end of last month, the European Commission's REACH (Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical) Committee voted for the proposals that target recyclate from waste tire and rubber materials.
This follows the European Union's ECHA risk committee findings that uncontrolled microplastics released into the environment pose a risk to health released last year (and reported by Australasian Leisure Management).
The European Commission (EC) is now proposing an eight-year transition period at point of sale before the new restriction becomes effective.
It is estimated that over 20 years, the proposed restriction would prevent the release in the environment of about half a million tonnes of microplastics, at an estimated total cost up to €19 billion. The proposal will now be subject to a three-month scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council before it can be adopted by the Commission.
Following the EC's recommendations last year, the European Synthetic Turf Council advised that "current surfaces are expected to be usable for at least 10 years and many existing fields may struggle to achieve their full-service life due to an inability to purchase the materials required for on-going maintenance, forcing communities, schools and sports clubs to either replace their surfaces prematurely or risk deteriorations in the quality and safety of their fields."
It went on to call for the transition period to be extended "to at least 10 years to enable those that have recently invested in new fields to obtain the full operational life they anticipated."
Since the recommendation, the EC has begun carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several member states.
A statement advised "the Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU'))."
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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