To ensure that hockey fields are being built to the highest standard and that FIH Approved Products are being installed correctly, the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf includes the certification of hockey fields.

A FIH Certified Field is independently tested by an FIH Accredited Test Institute to ensure it meets the requirements of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf. Tests include measurements of how the ball interacts with the playing surface, verifies adequate comfort and performance is being provided to ensure the well-being and protection of players and includes checks to confirm the field has been built to the dimensions, line marking, slope and surface drainage requirements of the FIH Quality Programme.

Field Certification also includes a comprehensive series of quality control checks to ensure the installed Hockey Turf product is the same as the FIH Approved Product; ensuring manufacturing and installation mistakes do not go undetected.

Any 11 a-side or Hockey 5s field that is being built or already exists, that has an Approved Hockey Turf playing surface can apply to become certified.

The FIH certifies four different categories of hockey fields:

• Global Elite: non-filled water based surfaces that are primarily used for FIH World Level International Competitions.
• Global: non-filled water based surfaces that are primarily used for lower level international and top level national competitions.
• National: normally sand dressed or sand filled surfaces designed primarily for hockey. This category of surface is normally used for lower level national, regional and club play.
• Multi-Sport: surfaces designed for a number of sports and on which basic community and development level hockey can be played.