ITTF President Speaks Out About Ban on Speed Glue, Boosters, 4mm Rubber Thickness

The message should be read by any table tennis player with international aspirations, or whose national association adopts the relevant ITTF rules. Here's the CliffsNotes version:

• It is up to the national associations to decide whether to implement the ITTF rules fully, partially, or not at all.
• In the initial transition period between 1 January 2008 and 1 September 2008, VOCs were detected even when water-based glues were used, and the thickness of rubbers often exceeded the 4mm limit.
• In the current transition period, several boosters and tuners on the market were tested and found to contain VOCs and some even contained poisonous materials. A new rubber thickness measurement device (that tests the thickness of the whole rubber surface, not just the edges) has also been developed and is now in use. (Apparently some players were boosting the center of the rubber but not the edges, in hopes of escaping detection)
• The ITTF has acknowledged that some manufacturers have been secretly breaking the ITTF rules in what they call "a hidden and despicable manner".
• As of 1 January 2009, the ITTF will test rackets at all ITTF events. They also say that they will continue to upgrade their testing devices, and that players should not worry as long as their racket is legal. But until players have access to the same testing equipment to make sure their racket meets the rules, I think there will be plenty of worried players!
• As of 1 July 2009, the ITTF will only test rackets after matches have been played.
• The ITTF also give some advice to players, including the advice not to use anything but water to clean their rackets (manufacturers of rubber cleaners will love that!), that adding substances such as oils to the rubber is illegal, and stretching the rubber is banned as well. More interestingly, they mention that if the racket covering is too thick from the factory, it is the player's responsibility not to use the rubber. Where can players get one of those rubber thickness testing devices?
• The ITTF give manufacturers a stern warning not to break these rules, and they have set some stiff penalties for any manufacturer caught doing so.
• Manufacturers have been told to produce rubbers that are under the 4mm thickness limit, to allow for the addition of glue layers by the player when attaching the rubber to his racket.
• And finally, national coaches are warned not to encourage or advise their players to break the rules, and told that they will be subject to the same penalties as players if they are caught doing so.