As was an irrevocable decision at the recent ITTF BOD meeting, May 24-th 2007, the hard-and-fast instrumental
control over harmful glues would be widely introduced into competitive play right after January !-st 2008, which implies that there will be an evergrowing chance for a competitor to get his racket examined at any tournament of any level.
In testing rackets, the ENEZ portable gas-detector will usually
be employed that has a measuring accuracy enough to show up the slightest emission of volatile organic compounds contained in any part of the assembled racket; and once the test result comes positive (the RED lamp is on) the offending player will have to incur immediate penalties whether or not he knew of the prohibited inclusions.
The new Gluing Regulations 3.2.4.2 advises clearly that the player to enter into a table tennis competition should always take some precautions before the competition starts.
1. First of all, keep alert to any adhesives and chemical accessories (rubber cleaners, rubber removers,
sponge conditioners, etc) that are not present in
the current ITTF Approval List. It is ONLY the brands admitted to the List
that had really passed
ITTF Approval procedure
and were authorised as products harmless to health.
Still, one must understand here that a mere appearance of the ITTF logo on a product`s label does not prove the product is legal to use, considering that the logo may be a false marking.
In any case, once an assembled racket shows signs of possibly containing volatile organic compounds , such as a pungent or benzine-like odours,
it is the very cause for the racket`s legality to be checked up. It should be done informally, preferably
in advance to a tournament, by means of the testing device to be employed at this tournament or by any others of the same type.
2. Do allow for an airing time of around 72 hours before using mint racket blades and coverings just unpacked.
If, after that time, those equipment keep smelling distinctly, do give your racket a try as aforesaid and see whether it is legal to use.
Pre-testing rackets of dubious legality is just the way for a
competitor to secure himself against penalty sanctions as currently provided
by the Gluing Regulations. .