ITTF Glue Ban Details

ITTF has recently changed the equipment regulations with regard to permissible racket coverings (rubber). Effective September 1st, the new rule reads:
"The covering material should be used as it has been authorised by the ITTF without any physical, chemical or other treatment, changing or modifying playing properties, friction, outlook, colour, structure, surface, etc."

This rule change effectively bans speed gluing and the use of boosters or other chemicals applied to the sponge or rubber. More information from ITTF

What this means for NCTTA:

a. Complete re-gluing of a racket at the tournament is prohibited unless new rubber is being applied.

b. New rubber should be attached with an adhesive from an original container of water-based or other VOC-free adhesive.

c. Partial gluing (if an edge of the rubber is loose) must be approved and supervised by the Division Director/Referee who should verify that the adhesive is from a container marked as water based or VOC-free.

d. Table tennis manufacturers selling water-based or VOC-free adhesives should be taken at their word. Also TearMender, an adhesive available at many hardware stores has successfully passed the ITTF testing device (Enez).

e. Players may not clean rubber with any substance other than water during a match.

f. Racket testing of some kind will likely be carried out at the 2009 Championships.

g. New rubber should be aired 48-72 hours before being applied to a racket or it may fail racket testing (with Enez or other testing device).