The main rule changes agreed at the 2000 General meeting are summarized below: unless otherwise stated, they will take effect from 1 September 2000. Details of all changes will be contained in a new edition of the ITTF Handbook, to be published later this year.

1. The ball has a diameter of 40mm and a weight of 2.7g.(This change will take effect from 1 October 2000. From that date the 40mm ball must be used in international competitions but Associations may, at their discretion, continue to use the 38mm ball for domestic competition).
2. A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, intercepts it when it is moving towards the playing surface and has not passed beyond his end line, not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent. (The new wording is in bold.)

The new wording is necessary because of a loophole, especially in doubles. One player may have to play a point at the side of the table not beyond his end line and his opponent returns the ball by deliberately aiming and hitting him on the body with the ball and wins the point!

1. A racket cannot be changed during competition during a match unless it is accidentally damage so badly that it cannot be used.
2. There may be up to three advertisements on the front and sides of a shirt, having a total area of not more than 200cm2 (At present it is 160cm2.)
3. The referee can disqualify for the remainder of a competition a coach who has been sent away from the playing area twice during that competition.
4. In World Championships doubles events, both players must be from the same Association.