REGULATION 22 Turf Performance Specification will be amended over time as technology and research evolves in the area of artificial playing surfaces. 22.3 Testing Protocol The suitability of an artificial playing surface for rugby depends on the surface layer, the preparation of the sub-base and the composition of the existing sub-soil. Therefore, testing of the surface will necessarily involve Laboratory Tests and Field Tests. A surface can only be certified as meeting the World Rugby Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification upon the successful completion of both the Laboratory Tests and Field Tests. Accordingly, only installed Artificial Rugby Turf surfaces which have been tested and proved to meet the World Rugby Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification will be permitted for use in rugby. Step 1 Manufacturer and/or World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer submit product sample to Test Institute Step 2 Product sample subjected to the Laboratory Tests - if it passes it moves to step 3 Step 3 A surface comprising the material of the product sample which satisfied the Laboratory Tests is installed Step 4 The installed surface undergoes the Field Tests Step 5 If the surface passes the Field Tests it is certified as meeting the World Rugby Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification by the Union 22.4 World Rugby Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification Tests 22.4.1 Laboratory Tests Manufacturers and/or World Rugby Preferred Turf Producers must submit an artificial playing surface sample of approximately 2.0 metres x 2.0 metres of each product type/model proposed for classification as an Artificial Rugby Turf to a Test Institute. Successful completion of the Laboratory Test phase will enable progression to Field Tests. 22.4.2 Field Tests (a) Field Tests are carried out upon the artificial playing surface once it has successfully completed the Laboratory Tests and has been installed. (b) The date set for the Field Tests will take into account that artificial playing surfaces often require some time to settle following installation. Field Tests will ordinarily be conducted by the Test Institute within three months of installation of the artificial playing surface. Last update: 14 January, 2015 464
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