On 31 March 2025, the European Commission published an Explanatory Guide complementing the 2023 Regulation on synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM), amending Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation, widely known as the “Microplastics Regulation”.
As a reminder, the 2023 Regulation directly impacted the sport sector by introducing a ban on the placing on the market of granular infill materials containing SPM used in synthetic sports surfaces. This ban will take effect from October 2031, following an 8-year transition period, which is however only applicable to “synthetic sport surfaces” and is designed to give facility owners sufficient time to switch to alternative materials and ensure that existing pitches can complete their life cycle. While the Regulation provided clear guidance for certain sports such as football and rugby, it left uncertainties for other disciplines, particularly regarding the "synthetic" nature of various sport surfaces.
Defining a “synthetic sport surface”
The newly published Explanatory Guide establishes a clear definition of a "synthetic sport surface" for which the transition period will apply. Accordingly, it is “a sport surface including at least one layer made of solid synthetic material (e.g. a synthetic rubber pad, synthetic turf, etc.), to which the granular infill material is added.” (Part II – 8.4).
Placing on the market vs. Existing stocks
In addition, the Explanatory Guide confirms that after the 8-year transition period, the placing on the market of granular infill will be prohibited, but existing stocks purchased before 17 October 2031 may continue to be used. This allows for the depletion of current inventories and prevents the unnecessary early replacement of materials.
Exemptions and specificities
Further precisions included in Part II specify the applicability of the transition period for equestrian grounds and tennis courts depending on the composition of the infill material and the sport surface itself:
- The 8-year transition period applies for equestrian grounds if they are considered a “synthetic sport surface” (including at least one layer made of solid synthetic material) and the infill material used falls under the definition of SPM (Part II – 8.6).
- If an equestrian ground is not a “synthetic sport surface”, but its sand/polymer infill contains over 0.01% SPM, the transition period does not apply and the placing on the market of the infill material is prohibited from 17 October 2023 (Part II – 8.6).
- For brick-dust tennis courts that use synthetic granulate as a top layer over a natural base, the 8-year transition period does not apply, and the ban has been in effect since October 2023 (Part II – 16.4).
Another clarification is that the prohibition on placing granular infill on the market will also apply to indoor sport facilities, not just outdoor facilities as previously assumed (Part II – 8.5).
Additionally, the Guide specifies a particular exemption for playgrounds and sports surfaces where the granules are completely embedded within a solid matrix (such as solid rubber pads). The restriction on placing these products on the market will not apply allowing such uses to continue unaffected (Part II – 7.7).
Next Steps
The Explanatory Guide will be updated regularly to address any new clarification needs arising during the practical implementation of the restriction. The EOC EU Office will keep track of this and will inform about any new developments.
Further Information
European Commission Topic Page
Explanatory Guide: