For an international project, I recommend replacing a simple “Chinese standard = European standard” approach with a performance-based specification.

A practical procurement specification could include:

Environmental category	Recommended international approach
Restricted substances	REACH/SVHC screening or applicable destination-market requirements
Heavy metals	Third-party chemical analysis according to the relevant international test method
PAHs	Test against applicable European/international restricted-substance limits
Phthalates	Test against applicable REACH/product-specific restrictions
VOC emissions	Report measured TVOC and formaldehyde emissions with test method
Product safety	Independent laboratory test of the finished turf system
Recyclability	Document material composition and end-of-life recycling route
Recycled content	Declare percentage and source where applicable
UV/weather resistance	Accelerated weathering and post-aging performance testing
Mechanical durability	Abrasion, yarn tensile strength and tuft withdrawal testing
Football performance	FIFA Quality Programme testing where professional football certification is required

This approach is more suitable for international buyers because it avoids presenting one national standard as if it were automatically equivalent to a European or American regulation.

What About FIFA Certification?

FIFA certification should also be understood correctly.

FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro are football-pitch quality marks rather than standalone “environmental certifications.”

FIFA’s football-turf programme evaluates the complete playing system, including playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance. Both laboratory and field testing are involved. FIFA Quality Pro represents the higher performance level intended for professional football.

The current FIFA framework also recognizes the development of non-filled systems and incorporates sustainability-related considerations, including requirements concerning recycled content in yarn.

This is significant for the future development of non-infill artificial turf: environmental performance is increasingly being considered alongside traditional performance indicators rather than treated as a completely separate issue.

For major European competitions, FIFA Quality Pro certification can also become a practical requirement. For example, current UEFA competition regulations specify FIFA Quality Pro for artificial turf used in certain UEFA competitions.