This document describes a procedure for subjecting test pieces taken from surfaces for sports areas to accelerated ageing by immersion in hot water. Test pieces are aged to permit a comparison of their physical characteristics before and after ageing in accordance with European Standard test methods for surfaces for sport areas. This method is suitable for ageing all types of sports surfaces, except for wooden surfaces, using test pieces in the laboratory, but is primarily intended for ageing polymeric surfaces. The pocedure allows a measure of the effect on the physical characteristics of the sports surface due to exposure to water at elevated temperatures to be made. NOTE Results from tests on materials which exhibit temporary changes in properties due to moisture should be interpreted with caution.#,,#