EU Restricts PAHs in Synthetic Turf Pitch Infill Materials and Other Sport Applications

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SafeGuardSHardgoodsJuly 29, 2021

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The EU has expanded the scope of restrictions on PAHs under entry 50 to Annex XVII of REACH. The new restrictions will become effective on August 10, 2022.

SAFEGUARDS | HardgoodsNO. 103/21

On July 21, 2021, the European Union (EU) published Regulation (EU) 2021/1199 to expand the scope of restriction of the eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) falling under entry 50 to Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH, consolidated version to July 5, 2021). The new law regulates those eight PAHs in granules and mulches – products that are classified as mixtures within Article 3(2) of REACH and are currently not within the scope of restrictions under that entry.

According to the amendment, ‘Granules’, ‘Mulches’, ‘Infill material in synthetic turf pitches’ and ‘Use in loose form on playgrounds or in sport applications’ have the following meaning:

‘Granules’ are mixtures that appear as 1 to 4 mm solid particles, which are made from rubber or other vulcanized or polymeric material of recycled or virgin origin, or obtained from a natural source
‘Mulches’ are mixtures that appear as 4 to 130 mm (length) by 10 to 15 mm (width) flake-shaped solid particles, which are made from rubber or other vulcanized or polymeric material of recycled or virgin origin, or obtained from a natural source
‘Infill material in synthetic turf pitches’ consists of granules used in synthetic turf pitches to improve the sport technical performance characteristics of the turf system
‘Use in loose form on playgrounds or in sport applications’ is any use of granules or mulches in loose form on playgrounds or for sport purposes other than as infill material in synthetic turf pitches

Per the new law, granules or mulches that are in use in the Union on August 9, 2022, as infill material in synthetic turf pitches or in loose form on playgrounds or in sport applications may remain in place and continue to be used for this same purpose.

Highlights of the new law are summarized in Table 1.

Regulation (EU) 2021/1199 Amending Entry 50 to Annex XVII of Regulation 1907/2006 (REACH) as Regards PAHs in Granules or Mulches Used as Infill Material in Synthetic Turf Pitches or in Loose Form on Playgrounds or in Sport Applications
Substance	Scope	Requirement	Effective Date
Eight PAHs: BaP, BeP, BaA, CHR, BbFA, BjFA, BkFA & DBAhA¹	Granules or mulches: As infill material in synthetic turf pitches In loose form on playgrounds or in sport applications²	≤ 20 mg/kg (sum of eight PAHs) and marked with a unique identification number of the batch	August 10, 2022 (placing on the market or use)
¹BaP (Benzo[a]pyrene), BeP (Benzo[e]pyrene), BaA (Benzo[a]anthracene), CHR (Chrysene), BbFA (Benzo[b]fluoranthene), BjFA (Benzo[j]fluoranthene), BkFA (Benzo[k]fluoranthene) and DBAhA (Dibenzo[a,h]fluoranthene) ²Examples from the preamble include golf courses, athletic arenas, horse arena footings, natural trails or shooting ranges

Regulation (EU) 2021/1199 Amending Entry 50 to Annex XVII of Regulation 1907/2006 (REACH) as Regards PAHs in Granules or Mulches Used as Infill Material in Synthetic Turf Pitches or in Loose Form on Playgrounds or in Sport Applications

Substance

Scope

Requirement

Effective Date

Eight PAHs:
BaP, BeP,
BaA, CHR,
BbFA, BjFA,
BkFA & DBAhA¹

Granules or mulches:

As infill material
in synthetic turf
pitches
In loose form on
playgrounds or in
sport applications²

≤ 20 mg/kg
(sum of eight PAHs)
and marked with a
unique identification
number of the batch

August 10, 2022
(placing on the
market or use)

¹BaP (Benzo[a]pyrene), BeP (Benzo[e]pyrene), BaA (Benzo[a]anthracene), CHR (Chrysene), BbFA (Benzo[b]fluoranthene), BjFA (Benzo[j]fluoranthene), BkFA (Benzo[k]fluoranthene) and DBAhA (Dibenzo[a,h]fluoranthene)
²Examples from the preamble include golf courses, athletic arenas, horse arena footings, natural trails or shooting ranges

Table 1

SGS offers a range of consulting, training, product development, testing, auditing and inspection services to help you demonstrate that your products are safe, high quality, and that they comply with the strict regulations that are enforced by markets around the world. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Contact us for more information or visit our website .

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Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
t: (+852) 2774 7420

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