What to look for
Products
When being offered a Regulation 22 field as part of a tender, always insist that a current World Rugby laboratory report for the exact product being tendered is received. This report (issued from World Rugby) is the only way to be certain that a product has been successfully tested against Regulation 22 in the laboratory.
Manufacturers
While any surface manufactured by any company can become Regulation 22 compliant once it meets all of the lab and field-based testing requirements, World Rugby recognise that there are manufacturers with a wealth of experience and expertise in providing rugby specific artificial turf surfaces. World Rugby have partnered with these companies and promote them as World Rugby Preferred Turf Producers (PTPs). These companies, who have undergone a rigorous assessment process and continue to meet the high standards expected of their status, are contracted to World Rugby to provide a turn-key service from design to completion (and even retesting) where required. Further information on PTPs can be found at https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare/surfaces/ptps.
Good manufacturers know their products best, and design products to suit individual scenarios. When tendering for a product, the usage levels, climate, budget and performance should be specified and the manufacturer left to decide what is the best solution for them to tender.
By taking the approach of describing the desired design parameters (technical aspects such as pile weight, tuft density and dTex etc.) you run the risk of eliminating potentially suitable products and also of increasing the cost of the product as a new, bespoke product may have to be developed and tested before it can be installed. There is a benefit to engaging with a field designer, but they should focus on the infrastructural aspects of the field (drainage, orientation, sub-base/foundations) and leave the specific surface design to the turf manufacturers.
Test Institutes
Testing of artificial turf can only be completed by an Accredited Test Institute (ATI). These organisations have a vast experience in testing artificial turf surfaces for multiple sports and are annually assessed to ensure they continue to meet the standards expected. Aside from World Rugby’s assessment process, all ATIs must be ISO 17025 compliant (an international accreditation that enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results) for all tests undertaken as part of the Regulation 22 process.
World Rugby recognise the benefits in maximizing the number of fields available for rugby and encourage facility owners to take advantage of the experience within ATIs to ensure fields meet the requirements by engaging with them if there are issues raised by testing to identify how they might be resolved. A full list of ATIs is available at https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare/surfaces/ati.
ATIs should never issue you with a report indicating that your field is compliant with Regulation 22, this will always come from World Rugby to the contact email provided by the ATI on submission of results. If you do not get confirmation of the test results from World Rugby within one month after a test, contact your test institute.
Unions
Some Unions have additional requirements in place for rugby surfaces. These requirements can include providing evidence of having sufficient insurance and commitments that maintenance and usage levels are as expected. Before developing an artificial turf surface for rugby, World Rugby strongly recommend engaging with your local Union to identify where they can provide support or if there are additional requirements in place.
