To the education departments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Education Bureau:
The mandatory national standard 'Synthetic Material Surfaces for School Sports Fields' (GB36246-2018, hereinafter referred to as the New Standard) has been jointly issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. It will come into effect on November 1, 2018. To further strengthen the construction and management of synthetic material surfaces for school sports fields, ensure the health and safety of students and teachers in primary and secondary schools, and improve school sports facilities, the following work requirements are hereby notified:
I. Truly Elevate Political Awareness
Education administrative departments at provincial levels should deeply study and implement the spirit of the National Education Conference, uphold the concept that health comes first in education, and help students enjoy sports, enhance their physical fitness, develop their personalities, and temper their wills through sports activities. They should fully recognize the significance of the New Standard in improving the quality of synthetic material surfaces for school sports fields, ensuring the health and safety of students, and enhancing school sports facilities. They should attach great importance to the construction, use, and management of synthetic material surfaces for school sports fields.
II. Enhance the Strength of Publicity and Implementation
The New Standard draws on relevant standards from both domestic and international sources and addresses key safety, environmental, and sports protection issues in the construction of synthetic material surfaces for school sports fields. It also considers the main risk points throughout the entire lifecycle of such surfaces, setting technical indicators that meet the requirements of green development, technological progress, industry norms, and student health protection. Education administrative departments at provincial levels should make full use of various media to study, publicize, and implement the New Standard, taking practical measures to ensure its effective implementation. Synthetic material surfaces for school sports fields constructed or put into use after November 1, 2018, must comply with the New Standard.
III. Establishing a Long-term Regulatory Mechanism
Provincial education administrative departments should conduct specialized research, refine their plans, clarify responsibilities, and ensure practical outcomes. Strengthen regulatory measures during the bidding and procurement, installation and construction, quality inspection, and supervision and acceptance processes to establish a long-term regulatory mechanism. Ensure that government departments, schools as purchasers, supervisors, and users fulfill their primary responsibilities. Focus on curbing practices such as multiple layers of subcontracting and low-bid winning. Bidding and procurement should directly involve construction companies to avoid excessive involvement of intermediaries.
IV. Enhancing Supervision and Inspection
Provincial education administrative departments should regularly collaborate with relevant departments to conduct supervision, inspection, and special rectification efforts. Prevent inaction or negligence in work and hold accountable those who violate regulations due to favoritism, negligence, solicitation of bribes, or other misconduct that results in substandard facilities endangering students' health. Recently, all regions should deploy specific actions for the implementation of the new national standards and report their progress by the end of the year to the Department of Physical Education, Health, and Art Education.
