SAPCA’s Quality Control Protocol for Sports Performance Infill

SAPCA’s Quality Control Protocol for Sports Performance Infill has been developed to provide a robust framework of obligations which suppliers and installers need to follow to demonstrate compliance with current legislation and regulatory requirements. The Protocol applies to the use of Sports Performance Infills (SPIs) and has been prepared in conjunction with SAPCA’s member companies and key sports bodies, including Sport England.

Within current European Union legislation, it is already the responsibility of the supplier of the materials (and in some instances the installer and facility owner/operator) to ensure that the material used is compliant. Whilst we are no longer in the EU, the Protocol aims to prevent the risk of non-compliant material being used and to provide reassurance to facility owners and end users that the supply of SPIs into the UK marketplace follows current regulations and best practice.

The requirements outlined within the Protocol are taken from existing British and European Union standards and legislation and are considered the industry standard in the UK. SAPCA may update the Protocol should new requirements be introduced, and therefore reserves the right to change the Protocol at any time.

In February 2021 SAPCA published a new Code of Practice for the selection and use of Sports Performance Infills. This document which references this Protocol can be found here.

Which Sports Performance Infills does the Protocol cover?

The Protocol covers ALL polymeric and organic SPIs that are to be used in a synthetic turf system as the performance layer (normally the upper layer). It does not include uncoated sand infills that may be used as the stabilising infill in longer pile (3G) synthetic turf systems or as performance/stabilising infill within short pile (2G) synthetic turf surfaces.

If different grades of an SPI are manufactured from the same material and using the same production process, each grade of the SPI may be entered on to SAPCA list providing that at least one grade from the family is subjected to the testing requirements of this Protocol. If the chemical composition of two SPIs differ in any way (including differences in coatings), they are not considered to be a family and will be treated as separate SPIs.

Who may apply to place a product on the SAPCA register?

Applications to place an SPI on the SAPCA register may be made by the manufacturer of the SPI or their distributor. If an application is made by a distributor it must be done with the support and endorsement of the manufacturer, who must demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this Protocol and confirm that they accept responsibility for the ongoing testing of the SPI in accordance with the Protocol. The manufacturer of the SPI must operate a quality management system for the production of the SPI.

Application procedure

Any manufacturer or distributor that wishes to make an application to register a product (or products) through the SAPCA Protocol should, in the first instance, fill in and submit the form here.

Register of Compliant Sports Performance Infills

The register was last updated 08 November 2023.