The ban covers the use of rubber granules as infill material and gives Member States a transition period until October 2031 to find more environmentally friendly alternatives. In order for a material to be exempted from the ban, it must meet strict biodegradability requirements.
Biodegradability requirements
For a material to be classified as biodegradable under EU rules, it must meet one of the following:
- Mineralization:
At least 60% of the material’s organic carbon must be converted to carbon dioxide within 6 months, according to test methods such as OECD 301*. - More stringent test for more robust materials:
For some polymers, 90% of the organic carbon must be converted to carbon dioxide within the same time frame, using test methods such as OECD 310 or OECD 306 (as above) - Testing in different environments:
Biodegradability must be proven in several environments, such as freshwater, seawater, sediment and soil, with specific time frames:
Water: degradation within 6 months.
Sediment and soil: Degradation within 24 months.
