OOAK Table Tennis Forum

There are 106 different brands and 1383 rubbers on the LARC 33B (or so my little script tells me). Back in 2009, I asked Odd Gustavsen about those fees.
"Testing fee : USD 550,
Per year, first rubber USD 1500, per each added USD 200."
Let's assume that those fees weren't revised since that time. I know - that's somewhat bold.
Total : a little over USD 410k per year just to keep those rubbers on the list, nearly twice what you thought.

The sum for the approval fee is left as an exercise for the reader !

Haggisv, there's been a mix up in your quote. It should read "lecridupongiste" as I wrote that part

By the way, does anybody happen to have a copy of old LARCs ? Let's say LARC 23 and prior (I now have 24 till now).

12.6. Invoice by ITTF for the testing fees of the equipment submitted
The ITTF Equipment Staff will issue and send to the suppliers the invoice for the testing fees.
The testing fees are available to all suppliers, upon request. Testing fees are subject to
change, according to the quotes received by the testing institutes. They shall be paid before
testing will take place.

12.7. Samples will be tested by one of the ITTF testing institutes
ITTF is cooperating with different testing institutes, which conduct the testing for approvals.
Direct contact between the suppliers and the ITTF testing institutes, is not allowed. Any
requests about ITTF testing should be addressed to the ITTF directly. The ITTF will reply to
the enquiries or contact the testing institutes, where necessary, and will send the requested
feedback to suppliers. ITTF Testing institutes that are accredited for certifying national or
international standards shall be made known to the suppliers.

12.8. Communication of testing results to suppliers
ITTF Equipment staff will send the testing results, together with the EqC expert’s feedback, to
the supplier concerned, once the results are received from the testing institutes and the
conclusions submitted by the EQC expert’s, provided that the testing fees are paid.

12.9. Outcome of testing results

12.9.1. If the equipment fails the tests:
The ITTF Equipment Committee takes a decision which is communicated to the supplier.

a) Suppliers can re-start the process and submit new samples for testing.
b) A testing fee is applicable for each separate testing.
c) In some cases the EqC may ask suppliers to improve aspects of the equipment. After
having analysed the plan and details for improvements of the supplier, the EqC may
grant approval without further testing or may require new full or partial testing.

12.9.2. If the equipment passes the tests:
The ITTF Equipment Committee takes a decision which is communicated to the supplier.

a) The equipment is eligible to be added onto the ITTF List(s).
b) When sending the test results to suppliers, the ITTF Equipment Staff will also ask them
to indicate the time for adding the equipment on ITTF List(s), and may announce
conditions to be fulfilled before approval can be accomplished.
c) The ITTF Equipment Staff will charge the adequate approval fee and check its settlement
and will verify that all other requirements or conditions are fulfilled, before approval can
be finalized and equipment integrate the ITTF List(s)
d) Once the approval is finalized, the ITTF Equipment staff will update the ITTF List(s) and
the certificate of approval of the supplier(s), and send it together with the e-mail/letter
of confirmation to the supplier(s).
e) Only after the equipment is added on the ITTF Approval List, the approval is considered
complete and the equipment can then be marketed as ITTF Approved/Authorized.

The question is, if the manufacturer stops paying the fees (they might not be able to afford it for example as they're struggling financially), should the ITTF have the right to remove the rubber from LARC list immediately.

Obviously this is unfair to players that use this rubber, as they are using a rubber which abides by all the ITTF requirements, and it's only removed due to fees not being paid.