Initial Testing, Third-Party Monitoring, and Audits for Synthetic Turf Systems

As a testing laboratory accredited by the RAL Quality Association for Synthetic Surfaces and Synthetic Turf Systems in Outdoor Sports Facilities e. V., Lehmacher Schneider is authorized to conduct initial testing, third-party monitoring, as well as laboratory and field tests in accordance with the quality and testing specifications of RAL-GZ 944.

We support manufacturers, system providers, sports field contractors, and public clients in ensuring the quality of synthetic turf systems - from the development and manufacture of individual components through installation to regular quality monitoring and certification.

Our experts conduct the necessary audits and tests directly at the manufacturer’s facilities, on construction sites, or at completed sports facilities. In addition, the required laboratory tests are performed in our own testing laboratory. This allows our clients to receive all services from a single source.

Quality Throughout the Entire Lifecycle

RAL Quality Assurance aims to ensure consistently high quality standards for synthetic turf systems. The focus is not only on the surface’s sports-related functional properties but on the entire system, including all components used.

In addition to technical quality, the following aspects are given particular consideration:

• Material quality
• Durability
• Environmental compatibility
• Proper manufacturing
• Proper installation
• Maintenance and Repair
• Decommissioning and recycling
• Sustainable recycling of the materials used

Regular internal and external monitoring ensures that synthetic turf systems consistently meet the high standards for quality, safety, and durability.

Our Services

Under the RAL-GZ 944 standard, we provide all testing and monitoring services, including:

• Initial inspections for the award of the RAL quality mark
• Regular third-party monitoring
• Factory audits
• Production monitoring
• Construction site audits
• Sampling at the manufacturer’s facility and on the construction site
• Laboratory testing
• Material testing
• Field tests on installed synthetic turf systems
• Documentation and test reports
• Support for certification procedures

Our tests are conducted independently, transparently, and in accordance with the applicable quality and testing regulations.

Scope of the RAL-GZ 944 Quality Mark

RAL-GZ 944 covers the quality assurance of all essential components of a synthetic turf system. This includes the following areas:

• RAL-GZ 944/1 – Manufacture and installation of the synthetic turf system, including recycling
• RAL-GZ 944/2 – Elasticizing layers
• RAL-GZ 944/3 – Synthetic turf surfaces
• RAL-GZ 944/4 – Functional fillers
• RAL-GZ 944/5 – Installation services for synthetic turf surfaces
• RAL-GZ 944/6 – Procedures for Ensuring the Sports and Safety Functions of Synthetic Turf Systems
• RAL-GZ 944/7 – Repair Services for Synthetic Turf Systems
• RAL-GZ 944/8 – Removal and Recycling of Synthetic Turf Systems 

Laboratory and Field Tests

RAL quality assurance involves much more than a one-time product test. In addition to laboratory tests, field tests as well as inspections of production and construction are conducted on a regular basis.

Depending on the task at hand, we test, among other things:

• Material properties
• Layer structure
• Coating thicknesses
• Water permeability
• Stress decay
• Standard deformation
• Ball-roll behavior
• Ball bounce behavior
• Seam strength
• Tensile strength
• Flatness
• Environmentally relevant material properties

The combination of laboratory testing and on-site inspections ensures that both the products and the installed synthetic turf systems consistently meet quality assurance requirements.

Factory audits and construction site monitoring

Regular audits at the manufacturer’s facility and quality controls during construction are an essential part of quality assurance.

Our experts inspect, among other things:

• Production processes
• The manufacturer’s internal monitoring
• Documentation
• Material labeling
• Storage of components
• Installation Quality on the Construction Site
• Compliance with quality and testing requirements

Regular third-party monitoring ensures consistently high product and workmanship quality.

Everything from a Single Source

Lehmacher Schneider Laboratory combines laboratory testing, field testing, audits, and expert services into a comprehensive range of services.

We provide the following services for our clients:

• Initial inspections
• Third-party inspections
• Factory audits
• Construction site audits
• Sampling
• Laboratory analyses
• Field tests
• Expert reports
• Quality assurance during construction
• Acceptance tests
• National and international certifications

With streamlined coordination processes, our own experts, and state-of-the-art testing technology, we support projects from the manufacturer through the construction site to the completed sports facility.

Your Partner for RAL-GZ 944

With over 40 years of experience in sports facility construction, the Lehmacher Schneider Laboratory is one of the leading independent testing laboratories in the field of synthetic turf systems.

Our combination of an approved RAL testing laboratory, a DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratory, an expert consulting firm, and a globally active auditor enables comprehensive quality assurance - from initial testing through regular third-party monitoring to technical support for international projects.