European Plywood Standards

European and British plywood standard EN 13986:2004+A1:2015, EN 636: 2012, EN 314-2. Plywood with CE Marking.

There are some important plywood standards in Europe. It is also regarded as British standard for plywood.

EN 13986 Plywood Standard

Below are the three most important BS EN standards that a plywood company should know about.

  • EN 13986:2004+A1:2015
  • EN 636: 2012 Plywood – Specification.
  • EN 314-2: Plywood – Bond Quality – Requirements

EN 314-2: Plywood – Bond Quality – Requirements

EN 314-2: 1993 (confirmed in 2013) specifies the requirements for bonding classes of veneer plywood according to their end uses.

It includes three classes of bond quality.

EN 314-2 is widely seen in the test report of the plywood. It is the most important part of any lab test report for plywood.

ClassEnd Uses
BondClass 1Dry conditions – interior applications where there is no wetting risk.
Bond Class 2Humid conditions – such as protected exterior conditions such as cladding plywood or under roof plywood.
Bond Class 3Unprotected exterior conditions – average moisture content of most plywood under this weather will exceed 20%.

EN 636: 2012 Plywood – Specification

EN 636:2012+A1:2015 gives the requirements for plywood for non-structural and structural uses in dry, humid, and exterior conditions.

EN636 takes into account the quality of the bond(EN314-2) and the durability of the timber species used.

UseENUsage ClassEnd Use
Plywood for use in dry conditionsEN636-1Class 1 – for normal interior climates.Warm Roof, timber frame, partition walls
Plywood for use in humid conditionsEN636-2Class 2 – for protected exterior applications, also suitable for dry conditionsCold roof, ground floors
Plywood for use in exterior conditionsEN636-3Class 3 – for long time exposure to weatherFully exposed

EN 13986:2004+A1:2015

EN 13986 is the European standard for wood-based panels.  It defines the performance characteristic and test methods for Plywood, OSB and Laminated Veneer Lumber.

 Panels marked within the European Economic Area for construction applications shall be marked according to EN 13986 plus.

EN 13986 is essential for plywood marking.

The number of this standard (EN 636) and the conditions of use:

  • EN 636-1 dry conditions
  • EN 636-2 humid conditions
  • EN 636-3 exterior conditions

 The letter corresponding to the panels intended application:

  •  “S” for structural
  • “NS” for general purpose (non-structural)

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