The 2031 ban on rubber-crumb infill
October 2031
Rubber crumb is the loose black granule brushed into most astro pitches. From 17 October 2031 it can no longer be sold in the EU, Ireland included.
The law in brief
| The law | Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, part of REACH, the EU chemicals law. In force since 17 October 2023. EUR-Lex |
|---|---|
| What it bans | The sale of loose plastic and rubber granules added to products. That includes the infill brushed into synthetic pitches. European Chemicals Agency |
| When | For sports pitches, from 17 October 2031, after an eight-year changeover. European Commission |
| In Ireland | It applies directly. The Minister of State for Sport confirmed it in a written Dáil answer on 5 March 2026. Dáil record |
Sources checked on 30 September 2026.
What it means for a club
You can keep playing on it
The ban is on selling the infill, not on using a pitch that has it. Any crumb you already hold is yours to use.
No more top-ups after 2031
From 17 October 2031 you cannot buy crumb to top the pitch up.
A pitch laid in 2027 is four years old in 2031
A crumb pitch laid in 2027 will be four years into its life when the supply stops.
For committees
Pricing a pitch now?
Three questions to put to any contractor, in writing, before the committee signs anything. Under them, straight answers to the questions clubs ask us most.
None of our three surfaces uses rubber or plastic infill. If you already have a crumb astro, we take the infill out and refurbish the surface. Ask us about it on the site visit. See the three surfaces
What is the infill?
If the answer is rubber crumb, SBR or a recycled tyre granule, it is covered by the ban.
What does it need after 2031?
Ask how the pitch is maintained once infill cannot be bought, and who carries that cost.
Who is responsible for the infill on the ground?
Crumb that leaves the pitch ends up in the drains, the car park and the river behind the ground. Ask who cleans it up and who pays.
Straight answers
Will our existing astro be illegal after 2031?
No. You can keep playing on it. You just cannot buy crumb to top it up after 17 October 2031.
Does this really apply in Ireland?
Yes. It is an EU regulation under REACH, which applies directly in every member state. It needs no Irish law to take effect.
Can we stock up on crumb before the date?
Yes. Crumb you buy before the date is yours to use. A full-size pitch needs topping up every year, so the store has to be big and kept dry. It still runs out.
What about cork or other natural infills?
The restriction targets synthetic polymer particles. Natural infills are outside it, but they still need topping up every year and they still leave the pitch.
Get us out to your ground
We walk the pitch with you, measure it and give you one written price.
Site visit and quotation- John MorrinDirector, Business Development087 251 0654john@ecopitch.ie
- Morgan MorrinDirector, Marketing085 183 5156morgan@ecopitch.ie