Speed glue ban FAQ (draft)

What is “speed glue ban”?

It is a change in the table tennis rules that will happen soon. More precisely, banning of volatile organic solvents (VOC) in any table tennis equipments. It involves VOC-based cleaners as well as speed glues. ITTF has already approved this rule change and basically all the domestic table tennis associations in the world including USATT follow the ITTF’s decision although the date of implementation may vary.

When will it happen?

It will be implemented on September 1st, 2008. It was once scheduled on September 1st, 2007, but postponed after the Olympic 2008 by some countries’ objections.

So it is not banned yet?

No, it is not banned yet at the international tournaments (as of May 2008) and at domestic tournaments in most countries. However, it is already banned for Junior tournaments as of January 1st, 2008. Also Japanese Table Tennis Association has banned speed glue usage for Japanese domestic tournaments as of September 1st, 2007.

Why do they prohibit speed glue?

The main reason is the potential health issue caused by VOC. This has been discussed for decades. Also there was an accident in 2006 in Japan, which eventually convinced people of the necessity of this rule change. (Press release from Japanese government)

What should I do after speed glue is banned?

There are no direct alternatives that you can use just as you did with the speed glue so far. You may need to use two or more equipments together to achieve comparable effect.

    If you are using regular glue, you can just switch to water-based glue or glue sheet. If you are using speed glue, you have basically two options: to keep using your favorite rubbers with VOC-free booster and water-based glue, or to switch to new-tech rubbers without using any booster (see below).

    Some people have reported that ITTF is discussing about VOC-free boosters as well. A possibility is that any kind of alteration on rubbers including the use of VOC-free boosters may be prohibited. An unofficial source says ITTF will make some announcement on this issue at the end of July.

What are the available equipments after speed glue ban?

ITTF has already stopped to approve new glues containing volatile organic solvents (as of 2006). Manufacturers are developing water-based glues and VOC-free speed boosters. Also they are developing new technology rubbers that have built-in speed-glue-like effects.

    In Japan, where speed glue is already banned, many high-level players prefer using VOC-free booster with their favorite rubbers. Currently Nittaku Speed Axel seems the most popular VOC-free booster in Japan.

    It seems that middle-level players prefer switching to a new tech rubber because using the VOC-free boosters generally takes more time than the present speed-glueing and they think it would be too much for them. Among many, Yasaka Extend HS is one of the most popular new-tech rubbers. Butterfly Bryce Speed and Tenergy 05 are the other two popular ones. There are more from various rubber makers.

How do the tournament organizers make sure every player has not used a banned glue?

They use a device called Enez and measure the amount of evaporating volatile compound from your racket.
http://www.enez.de/intro.html

So, if the device says my racket is OK, then I can use it in the tournament even if I have used speed glue?

Strictly based on the rule, no. The rule prohibits the use of it, it doesn’t matter if a banned chemical is detected or not. However, nobody can know if you have used it. Because the device measures the amount of the evaporating compound, it may not detect anything if enough long time has passed since you had glued it.

You are still not perfectly safe. For example, new rubbers may give out VOC if enough time has not passed since you take it from the packaging.