Surface photocrosslinking of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVAc) copolymer films containing benzophenone (BP) was investigated for the purpose of replacing a poly(vinyl chloride) floor. The photogelatin in the EVAc films was effectively observed after UV radiation in the presence of oxygen. The crosslinking reaction was initiated from the surface of the irradiated film, which was mainly due to the dehydrogenation and generation of macroradicals of polymer by the light absorption of BP. The experiments of polyethylene-VAc with BP showed that the VAc-rich amorphous part in the EVAc copolymer works as a crosslinking site. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.