by Administrator
10 July 2009
Harare — WORLD football governing body Fifa are happy with the condition of the artificial surface at Rufaro and the effort that is being put in the maintenance of the field.
Two Fifa officials were in Harare this week to inspect the artificial surface that was installed by the world football governing body.
Chris Fortuin, who is a lecturer for sport and movement and Nigel Fletcher, the manager of the artificial turf programme, assessed the maintenance work being put in at Rufaro and also heard reports from referees, players and coaches who use the surface.
“The turf is being well taken care of by the groundsmen,” said Fletcher. “It has had a positive impact on the players and coaches because the players enjoy playing there. “The football turf is different from other artificial surfaces because it was developed with football in mind and it is not affected by the weather,” he said.
Zifa technical director Nelson Matongorere was happy that they have managed to maintain the turf to the standards that have been hailed by Fifa. “We have managed to maintain the turf and the officials were impressed and they have said they are going to use it as a case study.
“Other member associations were given the turf but failed to maintain it and I can say we have done well as Zimbabwe. “They also got a lot of positive responses from the stakeholders. We have the capacity of having Fifa making more donations to the country,” said Matongorere.
The Fifa officials, who left Harare yesterday, also handed over 10 adidas footballs to community clubs in Mbare.
by Administrator
Issued by Synthetic Turf Council – June 2009
(New York, NY) – In response to the public’s desire for more scientific data, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Department of Health (DOH) released a new study on May 29 which validated the safety of synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber infill. The findings, available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/46856.html, concluded that “crumb rubber material used in synthetic turf fields poses no significant environmental threat to air or water quality and poses no significant health concerns.”
“This report provides compelling new scientific evidence about the safety of synthetic turf that should help answer the responsible questions being asked by parents, legislators and community activists,” said Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Increased playability, safety, low maintenance and significant environmental benefits have made synthetic turf an increasingly popular option.”
The New York State DEC and DOH conducted a series of studies to collect laboratory and field sampling data to “assess the potential impact to both surface and ground waters due to leaching of chemicals, assess potential public health impact from air release of chemicals and evaluate surface temperature and indicators of heat stress.” Other recent findings verifying the safety of synthetic turf with crumb rubber infill include a March 2009 air quality study by the NY City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and a May 2008 independent review of available research commissioned by DOHMH into the potential exposures and health effects due to inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. These documents and more are available at – http://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org
In July 2008, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Staff report also concluded that ‘young children are not at risk from exposure to lead [used in certain pigments to color synthetic turf fibers] in these fields.’” To further the long-term objectives of the Environmental Protection Agency, CPSC, and Centers for Disease Control to eliminate the use of lead in all products where feasible, the Synthetic Turf Council announced in July 2008 its commitment to voluntarily reduce lead levels in accordance with the same strict standards that Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 imposes on the children’s toy industry.
Synthetic turf fields are affording millions of children and people of all ages the opportunity to be active year-round and in virtually all weather conditions. About half of all NFL teams currently play their games on synthetic turf, and it has been approved by FIFA for World Cup soccer matches. In 2008, growth in all sectors of the industry — sports fields, landscape, golf, municipal parks, and airports – also helped conserve billions of gallons of water, avoid the use of millions of pounds of pesticides and fertilizers, and recycle 25 million used tires that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Act Global Sports is a proud member of the Synthetic Turf Council.
by Administrator
Leading synthetic turf system by ACT Global Sports is now found in 50 countries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUSTIN, TEXAS USA
ACT Global Sports, a leader in artificial turf technology, proudly announces their sales and installations have reached 50 countries. This milestone reflects the growth of the company and the increased popularity of synthetic turf throughout the world.
More and more sports fields have made the transition from natural grass to synthetic turf. The benefits of extended playability, low maintenance and water conservation are just a few of the factors influencing this progression. As a result, synthetic turf is often used in a wide range of applications such
as soccer, football, baseball, rugby, golf, field hockey, residential lawns and a variety of recreational and landscaping areas. Leading sports organizations such as FIFA and its Quality Concept for Football Turf also help to influence the growth and the development of the synthetic turf industry.
“We are very excited to have sold our Xtreme Turf and ACTurf systems in 50 countries. Apart from our corporate success, we are more pleased to have built a reputation for doing business in these countries with the highest ethics and in a socially-conscious manner,” expressed Director Chris Clapham. ACT Global promotes greater corporate and environmental responsibility through its support of various international charities and environmental groups. Its sales are conducted from company offices in the United States, The Netherlands, Poland, Cyprus, Thailand and China and through a global network of distribution partners. ACT Global Sports manufacturers its products on three continents and performs rigorous quality, performance and environmental testing.
by Administrator
United Nations Global Compact
Communication on Progress
1 March 2008 through 7 April 2009
Dear Valuable Stakeholders:
The past twelve months have been very exciting for us. As a proud continuing member of the United Nations
Global Compact, we have spent considerable effort to adhere to its principles so we can to improve our market place and the societies in which we serve.
As a company with head offices in the United States, we abide by the applicable human rights, labor and
environmental laws. However, our sales extend into 50 countries where we appreciate the melting pot of our
diverse network of offices and local installation partners. This enhances our ability to respect and take responsibility for the needs of all the markets we serve. This also allows us to recognize the need to go beyond the laws in many countries. The Global Compact is of tremendous value in these efforts as we strive to be role models in our synthetic turf industry and communities around the world.
We appreciate the positive responses from our customers, partners and government agencies concerning our commitment to the Global Compact and its principles. This feedback and the positive impact we make continue to reinforce that the goals of good corporate stewardship and profits are not separate paths. In fact, good business principles and integrity is our foundation for long-term stability and profitability.
Finally, we invite and encourage all other participants in the synthetic turf industry to review the United Nations Global Compact’s principles. In turn, we hope they will also execute such practices to aid in our common wellbeing. From our side, we will continue to implement even newer strategies that will continue to guide us as strong proponents of the Global Compact.
Best Regards,
/s/ John Baize
Managing Director
Promoting the United Nations Global Compact
As proud members of the United Nations Global Compact, we have promoted our participation in 50 countries throughout the world. We feature the United Nations Global Compact logo and information on our websites, brochures, banners and most of our external documentation. We promote our participation on a grassroots level through international presentations, meetings and seminars with both internal and external audiences. Our objective is not only to explain our own business activity but encourage the numerous participants in our industry to implement the principles in the Global Compact. Through education and communication, we are able to continue developing our own strategies and also influence the private and governmental groups we meet.
Communication on Progress Report Card
Human Rights
Principles 1 and 2
Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses
Actions and Achievements:
ACT Global Sports considers our worldwide employees to be our most valuable asset. Without them there would be no business. We offer support to each individual and promote human rights both locally and internationally. We continue to train our employees on the proper code of business and implement procedures that comply with international standards. ACT Global Sports promotes an open relationship with our employees to discuss issues in a welcoming and professional manner. This form of action creates a tight-knit community within our organization even though our offices are widespread. As a result, our employees feel more comfortable in their working environment and are more focused on striving to do a better job.
ACT Global Sports extends this open communication and awareness of human right to our suppliers andprofessional partners. We instruct our external suppliers and customers that we expect them to operate in the same manner in this regard.
Labor Standards
Principle 3
Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
Actions and Achievements:
We continue support to uphold the freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. Such practices are outlined in our employment policies. There is no discrimination on grounds of membership in a labor organization.
ACT Global Sports we implement this philosophy by welcoming meetings where active input and discussion concerning key issues regarding pay, employee relations, working, conditions, and workspace are reviewed. Such requests are considered without discrimination or conjecture. We then work as a team to resolve any issues.
Principle 4
Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor
Actions and Achievements:
ACT Global Sports recognizes and agrees with the laws regarding forced and compulsory labor. The company will not tolerate nor accept the exploitation of labor. It is not only illegal, but cruel and immoral as well. We allow our employees to make any complaints or suggestions regarding their work surroundings and receive adequate pay for their efforts.
We value our employees and the work that they do, therefore their well being is one of our biggest concerns. This ensures constant workflow and effective team effort. We outline clearly each employee’s work expectations, expected hours, rate of pay and do not allow any violation of rights. We take pride in our external partners and strive to work with the best in the industry. If any association or partner is in violation of forced and compulsory labor, we will immediately terminate our relationship with them.
Principle 5
Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labor
Actions and Achievements:
ACT Global Sports does not support child labor in any shape or form. We continue to support World Vision in the aid of children worldwide. World Vision is a humanitarian organization that supports children with food, education, medicine, and well as moral support. We understand that child labor is a huge issue worldwide in both developing as well as industrialized countries. This is horrible practice. Children are our future and should be treasured and raised properly. We also understand that there are harsh economic and survival realities and businesses must also work together to address these underlying conditions. We strongly encourage others to review this issue and do whatever they can to stop child labor.
Principle 6
Businesses should eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Actions and Achievements:
ACT Global Sports’ offices and partners are located worldwide. Our global network is exposed to a wide diversity of cultures and beliefs in society as well as the workplace. Such exposure allows us to become well-rounded in our understanding and appreciation of diversity. ACT Global Sports values our multicultural existence. Not only does this support our workforce but it helps us expand our business worldwide. We do not discriminate against race, colour, gender, religion, political opinion, national origin, social origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, trade union membership, or sexual orientation. Our employees and contractors are hired based on their skills and ability to do the job at hand.
In efforts to empower women we continue donations to CARE, a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty in part by providing economic opportunities. We place special focus on working alongside poor women. Equipped with the proper resources, these women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.
Environment
Principle 7
Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Actions and Achievements:
ACT Global Sports is proud to being committed to environmentally friendly products and manufacturing. We also hold an ISO 14001 environmental certification and discussed environmental stewardship in a recent article published by ISO Focus. We have also conducted strict environmental testing to measure lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium, chromium, tin, toxicity, EOX, and DOC. Such testing ensures our products are safe and not hazardous to the environment. Our artificial turf and synthetic turf products are environmentally friendly as they reduce water consumption and eliminate the use of pesticides.
ACT Global Sports encourages our employees, professional partners, and competitors to implement the best practices in energy and resource efficiency, waste reduction, renewable resources, and the use of cleaner production. Together we can increase awareness and exercise greater environmental responsibility.
Principle 8
Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
Actions taken & Achievements:
ACT Global Sports continuously seeks to improve our practices and promote greater environmental responsibility. As an ongoing initiative, we continue to support Conservation International and the U.S. Greenscapes program. Their mission is to conserve the Earth’s living heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature. We strive to stimulate the greater well being of the environment, society, and the economy.
We have implemented production recycling efforts and also a carbon offset program. We work to minimize our carbon footprint and then have invested in reforestation projects in the United States, Nicaragua and China. Our customers can also purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon footprint related to the production, transportation and installation activities of their purchase. This latest initiative is relatively new and we look forward to continuing its development.
Principle 9
Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
Actions and Achievements:
Our synthetic turf industry helps to support the environment through the savings of water and the use of pesticides. We are also a large user of recycled rubber materials that would otherwise be sitting in landfills throughout the world.
We have identified additional opportunities to implement environmentally friendly technologies. These opportunities are part of our long-term product development and manufacturing plans.
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10
Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery
Actions and Achievements:
As outlined in our mission statement, “Our focus is to enhance our market value through integrity, product value and customer satisfaction.” Our solid relationships with employees, partners, and clients are built on honesty and integrity.
In order to avoid extortion and bribery, our company policy strictly limits the amount of gifts that can be given or received by an employee or professional partner. Any policy or ethical violation that is detected by an employee must be immediately reported to upper management without fear of reprisals. We do not tolerate corruption or bribery in any shape or form.
About ACT Global Sports
Act Global Sports is an international manufacturer of artificial turf and synthetic grass systems for football,
soccer, baseball, synthetic lawn landscaping or other sport field turf uses. Our Xtreme Turf or ACTurf synthetic turf and artificial grass systems can be found in 50 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.actglobalsports.com.
by Administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff today released its evaluation of various synthetic athletic fields. The evaluation concludes that young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.
CPSC staff evaluation showed that newer fields had no lead or generally had the lowest lead levels. Although small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of some older fields, none of these tested fields released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children.
Lead is present in the pigments of some synthetic turf products to give the turf its various colors. Staff recognizes that some conditions such as age, weathering, exposure to sunlight, and wear and tear might change the amount of lead that could be released from the turf. As turf is used during athletics or play and exposed over time to sunlight, heat and other weather conditions, the surface of the turf may start to become worn and small particles of the lead-containing synthetic grass fibers might be released. The staff considered in the evaluation that particles on a child’s hand transferred to his/her mouth would be the most likely route of exposure and determined young children would not be at risk.
Although this evaluation found no harmful lead levels, CPSC staff is asking that voluntary standards be developed for synthetic turf to preclude the use of lead in future products. This action is being taken proactively to address any future production of synthetic turf and to set a standard for any new entrants to the market to follow.
As an overall guideline, CPSC staff recommends young children wash their hands after playing outside, especially before eating.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC’s web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
