The European Standards Committee (CEN) has harmonised the way performance and durability for shockpads and e-layers throughout Europe should be specified. In doing so, buyers and specifiers of synthetic turf systems can better compare various products.

NEN-EN 15330-4 specifies minimum performance and durability requirements for shockpads used within synthetic turf and textile sports surfacing systems. The document also specifies appropriate performance tolerance for production and on-site quality control procedures.

This document does not cover structural properties of products.

Shockpads now the norm

The use of shockpads and e-layers has become the norm, as they reduce the dependence on a thick layer of (polymeric) infill to deliver a certain performance, while better guaranteeing safety and comfort to the players. World Rugby even believes that without a shockpad or e-layer, it would be impossible to meet the quality standards they pursue for synthetic turf.

While quality standards for shockpads and e-layers had been in effect in countries with a mature synthetic turf market, countries where the surface was still new struggled with drafting appropriate standards.

By specifying minimum performance and durability requirements for these products, CEN has alleviated the pressure on the authorities in these markets in particular, and safeguarded buyers and users of synthetic turf from investing in inferior shockpads or e-layers.