prEN 438-7

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
01-november-2019
Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol - 7.
del: Kompaktni laminati in kompozitni paneli HPL za notranjo in zunanjo oblogo
zidov in stropov
High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins
(Usually called Laminates) - Part 7: Compact laminate and HPL composite panels for
internal and external wall and ceiling finishes
Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze
(Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 7: Kompaktplatten und HPL-Mehrschicht-Verbundplatten für
Wand- und Deckenbekleidungen für Innen- und Außenanwendung
Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines
thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 7 : Panneaux stratifiés
compacts et composites HPL pour finitions des murs et plafonds intérieurs et/ou
extérieurs
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 438-7
ICS:
83.140.20 Laminatne plošče Laminated sheets
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019


DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 438-7
NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM

August 2019
ICS 83.140.20 Will supersede EN 438-7:2005
English Version

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based
on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part
7: Compact laminate and HPL composite panels for
internal and external wall and ceiling finishes
Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL)
base de résines thermodurcissables (communément - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe)
appelées stratifiés) - Partie 7 : Panneaux stratifiés - Teil 7: Kompaktplatten und HPL-Mehrschicht-
compacts et composites HPL pour finitions des murs et Verbundplatten für Wand- und Deckenbekleidungen
plafonds intérieurs et/ou extérieurs für Innen- und Außenanwendung
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 249.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.


EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 438-7:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
Contents Page
EUROPEAN FORWARD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 SCOPE . 7
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES . 7
3 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS . 9
3.1 SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS . 10
4 PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS . 11
4.1 REACTION TO FIRE . 11
4.2 WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY . 12
4.3 RESISTANCE TO FIXINGS . 12
4.3.1 Compact laminate panels . 12
4.3.2 HPL composite panels . 13
4.4 BONDING STRENGTH . 13
4.5 AIRBORNE SOUND INSULATION . 13
4.6 FLEXURAL TENSILE STRENGTH . 13
4.6.1 Compact laminate panels . 13
4.6.2 HPL composite panels . 13
4.7 THERMAL RESISTANCE. 13
4.7.1 Compact laminate panels . 13
4.7.2 HPL composite panels . 14
4.8 FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION . 14
4.9 CONTENT OF PENTACHLOROPHENOL (PCP) . 14
4.10 RELEASE OF VOC . 14
4.11 THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE . 14
4.12 DURABILITY . 15
4.12.1 Compact laminate panels for internal use . 15
4.12.2 Compact laminate panels for external use . 16
4.12.3 HPL composite panels for internal use . 17
4.12.4 HPL composite panels for external use . 18
5 TESTING, ASSESSMENT AND SAMPLING METHODS . 19
5.1 REACTION TO FIRE . 19
5.2 WATER VAPOUR PERMEABILITY . 19
5.3 RESISTANCE TO FIXINGS . 19
5.3.1 Compact laminate panels . 19
5.3.2 HPL composite panels . 19
5.4 BONDING STRENGTH . 19
5.5 AIRBORNE SOUND INSULATION . 19
5.6 FLEXURAL TENSILE STRENGTH . 20
5.6.1 Compact laminate panels . 20
5.6.2 HPL composite panels . 20
5.7 THERMAL RESISTANCE. 20
5.8 FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION . 20
5.9 CONTENT OF PENTACHLOROPHENOL (PCP) . 20
5.10 RELEASE OF VOC . 20
5.11 THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE . 20
5.12 DURABILITY . 20
5.12.1 Compact laminate panels for internal use . 20
5.12.2 Compact laminate panels for external use . 20
5.12.3 HPL composite panels for internal use . 20
5.12.4 HPL composite panels for external use . 21
2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
6 ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION OF CONSTANCY OF PERFORMANCE - AVCP . 21
6.1 GENERAL . 21
6.2 TYPE TESTING . 21
6.2.1 General . 21
6.2.2 Test samples, testing and compliance criteria . 22
6.2.3 Test reports . 23
6.2.4 Shared other party results . 23
6.2.5 Cascading determination of the product type results . 24
6.3 FACTORY PRODUCTION CONTROL (FPC) . 25
6.3.1 General . 25
6.3.2 Requirement . 26
6.3.3 Product specific requirements . 30
6.3.4 Initial inspection of factory and of FPC . 31
6.3.5 Continuous surveillance of FPC for products covered by AVCP 1 . 31
6.3.6 Procedure for modifications . 32
6.3.7 One-off products, pre-production products (e.g. prototypes) and products produced in very low quantity . 32
7 MARKING AND LABELLING . 33
ANNEX A (NORMATIVE) SPECIMEN MOUNTING DETAILS AND EXTENDED APPLICATION RULES FOR SBI FIRE TESTING
. 34
A.1 STANDARD FRAME . 34
A.2 STANDARD SUBSTRATE . 34
A.3 MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS . 34
A.4 FIELD OF APPLICATION OF TEST RESULTS . 35
ANNEX B (NORMATIVE) PANEL PARAMETERS DEFINING FAMILY OF PANELS IN RELATION TO REACTION TO FIRE
PERFORMANCE . 41
ANNEX ZA (INFORMATIVE) RELATIONSHIP OF THIS EUROPEAN STANDARD WITH REGULATION (EU) NO.305/2011 . 42
BIBLIOGRAPHY . 51

3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
European forward
This document (prEN 438-7:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics” the
secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 438-7:2005.
This document has been prepared under standardization request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association.
For relationship with Regulation EU 305/2011 (CPR), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part
of this document.
4

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
Introduction
An overview of European standards addressing compact laminate panels and HPL composite panels and
related products for building applications is given below.
EN 438-2:2016+A1:2018, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based
on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 2: Determination of
properties
Test methods EN ISO 13894-1:2015, High-pressure decorative laminates — Composite elements —
Part 1: Test methods (ISO 13894-1)
EN 16094:2012, Laminate floor coverings — Test method for the determination of
micro-scratch resistance
EN 438-3:2016, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 3: Classification and
specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting
substrates
EN 438-4:2016, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 4: Classification and
specifications for Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater
EN 438-5:2016, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 5: Classification and
specifications for flooring grade laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to
supporting substrates
EN 438-6:2016, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
Product
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 6: Classification and
standards
specifications for Exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater
Classification,
EN 438-8:2018, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
specifications
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 8: Classification and
specifications for design laminates
EN 438-9:2017, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 9: Classification and
specifications for alternative core laminates
EN ISO 13894-2:2015, High-pressure decorative laminates — Composite elements —
Part 2: Specifications for composite elements with wood-based substrates for interior
use (ISO 13894-2)
EN 13329:2016+A1:2017, Laminate floor coverings — Elements with a surface layer
based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins — Specifications, requirements and test
methods
EN ISO 10874:2012, Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings — Classification
prEN 438-7, HPL —Laminates — Part 7: Compact laminate and HPL composite panels
for internal and external wall and ceiling finishes (This document)
EN 13986:2004+A1:2015, Wood-based panels for use in construction —
Product
Characteristics, evaluation of conformity and marking
standards
EN 14041:2018, Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings — Essential
characteristics
EN 13964:2014, Suspended ceilings — Requirements and test methods
5

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
EN 438-1:2016, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on
General
thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) — Part 1: Introduction and general
standard
information
6

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies characteristics for compact laminate panels and HPL composite panels both for
non-structural uses in interior or external wall and ceiling finish applications (including in suspended
ceiling).
This document deals with compact laminate panels of thickness 2 mm and greater.
The compact laminate panels are produced by using a high pressure process and the HPL composite
panels are produced bonding an HPL sheet to a substrate.
This document covers compact laminate panels with the following types of laminates:
— compact laminates, as defined in EN 438-4:2016;
— exterior-grade compact laminates, as defined in EN 438-6:2016;
— pearlescent compact laminates, metal compact laminates and wood veneer compact laminates, as
defined in EN 438-8:2018;
— coloured core layer compact laminates and metal reinforced core layer compact laminates, as defined
in EN 438-9:2017.
This document covers full size and cut-to-size compact laminate panels and HPL composite panels, e.g.
tiles and sidings.
This document specifies only compact laminate panels and HPL composite panels mechanically fixed
using e.g. screws or rivets.
Both the compact laminate panels and HPL composite panels may contain flame retardant to improve
their reaction to fire performance.
This document also specifies provisions for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance
(AVCP) of the characteristics and includes provisions for marking these panels.
This document does not cover:
a) HPL sheets less than 2 mm thick as defined in EN 438-3:2016, EN 438-8:2018 or EN 438-9:2017,
which are not glued on a substrate;
b) overlaid or veneered wood-based panels, where the overlay/veneer is not an HPL;
c) HPL composite panels intended for use as floor coverings;
d) panels used for fire protection of walls or ceilings;
e) performances of installed systems for walls and ceilings with compact or composite high pressure
laminate panels.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 438-2:2016+A1:2014, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on thermosetting
resins (usually called laminates) — Part 2: Determination of properties
EN 717-1:2004, Wood-based panels — Determination of formaldehyde release — Part 1: Formaldehyde
emission by the chamber method
7

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
EN 12664:2001, Thermal performance of building materials and products — Determination of thermal
resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods — Dry and moist products of medium
and low thermal resistance
EN 13501-1:2018, Fire classification of construction products and building elements — Part 1:
Classification using data from reaction to fire tests
EN 13238:2010, Reaction to fire tests for building products — Conditioning procedures and general rules
for selection of substrates
EN 13823:2010+A1:2014, Reaction to fire tests for building products — Building products excluding
floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item
EN 13986:2004+A1:2015, Wood-based panels for use in construction — Characteristics, evaluation of
conformity and marking
EN 16516:2017, Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances — Determination of
emissions into indoor air
EN ISO 178:2019, Plastics — Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178:2019)
EN ISO 1183-1:2019, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1:
Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1:2019)
EN ISO 7049:2011, Cross-recessed pan head tapping screws (ISO/FDIS 7049:2011)
EN ISO 10140-1:2016, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements —
Part 1: Application rules for specific products (ISO 10140-1:2016)
EN ISO 10140-2:2010, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements —
Part 2: Measurement of airborne sound insulation (ISO 10140-2:2010)
EN ISO 10140-4:2010, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements —
Part 4: Measurement procedures and requirements (ISO 10140-4:2010)
EN ISO 10140-5:2010, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements —
Part 5: Requirements for test facilities and equipment (ISO 10140-5:2010)
EN ISO 10456:2007, Building materials and products — Hygrothermal properties — Tabulated design
values and procedures for determining declared and design thermal values — Technical Corrigendum 1 (ISO
10456:2007)
EN ISO 10456:2007/AC:2009, Building materials and products — Hygrothermal properties — Tabulated
design values and procedures for determining declared and design thermal values — Technical Corrigendum
1 (ISO 10456:2007/Cor 1:2009)
EN ISO 12572:2016, Hygrothermal performance of building materials and products — Determination of
water vapour transmission properties — Cup method (ISO 12572:2016)
EN ISO 13894-1:2015, High-pressure decorative laminates — Composite elements — Part 1: Test methods
(ISO 13894-1:2000)
CEN/TR 14823:2003, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Quantitative determination of
pentachlorophenol in wood — Gas chromatographic method
8

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
high-pressure decorative laminate(s) (HPL)
sheet(s) consisting of decorative surface layer(s) and core layers bonded together by a high pressure
process
Note 1 to entry: Typical values for the high pressure process are: a temperature of ≥ 120 °C and a pressure
of ≥ 5 MPa.
3.1.2
surface layer
upper decorative layer consisting in one or more sheets of fibrous material (usually paper) impregnated
with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins) or other curable resins or other
decorative design surfaces which are not necessarily treated with thermosetting resin
Note 1 to entry: The surface layers can appear on one or both side(s) of the laminate(s). In case of one-sided
laminates, the back of the sheet(s) may be made suitable for adhesive bonding to a substrate.
Note 2 to entry: Examples of decorative design surface are metal foils, wood-veneers or textiles.
3.1.3
core layer
core layer consisting of fibrous materials (usually paper) impregnated with thermosetting resins (usually
phenolic based resins) or other curable resins, eventually reinforced by metal layer(s) or metal mesh(es)
and others which are not necessarily treated with thermosetting resin
3.1.4
compact laminate panel
panel consisting of decorative surface layer(s) and core layers bonded together by a high pressure process
with a thickness of 2 mm or greater
3.1.5
HPL composite panel
panel produced by adhesively bonding an HPL to one or both sides of a substrate
3.1.6
substrate of the HPL composite panels
board to which the HPL is bonded
Note 1 to entry: The substrate can be a wood based product (e.g. particleboard, plywood or fibreboard), a mineral
board (e.g. calcium silicate), an expanded honeycomb, a metal sheet or plastic material, organic or inorganic fibre
boards.
3.1.7
pearlescent compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel, the surface layer of which consists of a pearlescent effect decorative paper, which
is impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins)
9

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 438-7:2019
prEN 438-7:2019 (E)
3.1.8
metal compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel, the surface layer of which consists of a thin layer of metal
3.1.9
wood veneer compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel, the surface layer of which consists of a wood veneer, which is covered by a
protective melamine layer
3.1.10
coloured core layer compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel, the core layer of which consists of coloured fibrous materials (usually paper)
impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins) or fibrous
materials (usually paper) impregnated with coloured aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually
melamine based resins)
3.1.11
metal reinforced core layer compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel, the core layer of which consists of metal layer(s) or mesh(es) and cellulosic
fibrous layers (usually paper) impregnated with phenolic thermosetting resins or aminoplastic
thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins)
3.1.12
exterior-grade compact laminate panel
compact laminate panel for use under outdoor weather conditions such as direct sunlight rain and frost
3.1 Symbols and abbreviations
3.2.1 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbol applies.
t nominal thickness of the
...