EN 635-3:1995
(Main)Plywood - Classification by surface appearance - Part 3: Softwood
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies the nature and limits of characteristics inherent in wood and manufacturing defects enabling the visual assessment of theplywood for allocation to an appearance class. This classification is a contribution to assessing the finishing suitability of plywood. This part of EN 635 applies to plywood, the surface veneers of which are made from softwood species. It does not apply to overlaid panels.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-May-1995
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 112 - Woodbased panels
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 112/WG 2 - Plywood
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Dec-2025
- Completion Date
- 02-Dec-2025
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
Not Harmonized89/106/EEC - Construction products
Overview
EN 635-3:1995 is a European Standard (CEN) that defines how to classify plywood by surface appearance when the surface veneers are made from softwood species. The standard specifies the nature and limits of inherent wood characteristics and manufacturing defects that can be assessed visually to allocate plywood to an appearance class. Its main purpose is to support consistent assessment of finishing suitability for softwood-faced plywood. Overlaid panels are excluded from the scope.
Key topics
- Scope and applicability: Applies only to plywood with softwood surface veneers; excludes overlaid or laminated surfaces.
- Visual assessment criteria: Defines the types of inherent wood features (knots, grain variation, colour differences) and common manufacturing defects that influence surface appearance.
- Appearance classes: Provides a framework to allocate boards to classes based on visible characteristics to guide finishing and end-use decisions.
- Limits and tolerances: Establishes acceptable limits for defects and natural features that determine class allocation (used for quality control and specification).
- Finishing suitability: Links appearance classification to practical finishing outcomes-helping determine whether plywood is suitable for clear finishing, staining, painting or concealed applications.
- Inspection methodology: Describes how visual inspections are carried out for consistent evaluation (lighting, inspection distance and general procedure implied by visual classification principles).
Applications
EN 635-3:1995 is practical for professionals who need to specify, produce, inspect or use softwood-faced plywood:
- Plywood manufacturers - to set production tolerances and grade products for market.
- Quality control and inspection labs - for consistent visual grading and acceptance criteria.
- Specifiers and procurement - architects, engineers, interior designers and buyers use the classification to choose plywood with appropriate appearance for visible finishes.
- Joinery and furniture makers - to select panels suitable for clear finishes, veneers or painted surfaces.
- Construction contractors - to determine suitability for visible panelling, ceilings and other architectural applications.
Related standards
- EN 635-3 is part of a family of standards addressing plywood appearance and may be used alongside other EN standards covering structural properties, durability, surface treatments and plywood made from different veneer species. Refer to CEN documentation for the complete set of related standards.
Keywords: EN 635-3:1995, plywood classification, softwood plywood, surface appearance, appearance class, visual assessment, finishing suitability, CEN standard, plywood quality.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 12369-2:2011 - Wood-based panels - Characteristic values for structural design - Part 2: Plywood - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 636:2012 - Plywood - Specifications - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13815:2006 - Fibrous gypsum plaster casts - Definitions, requirements and test methods - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 12369-2:2025 - Wood-based panels - Characteristic values for structural design - Part 2: Plywood - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Get Certified
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Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije
Slovenian Forestry Institute. Forest management certification support, timber testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 635-3:1995 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Plywood - Classification by surface appearance - Part 3: Softwood". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the nature and limits of characteristics inherent in wood and manufacturing defects enabling the visual assessment of theplywood for allocation to an appearance class. This classification is a contribution to assessing the finishing suitability of plywood. This part of EN 635 applies to plywood, the surface veneers of which are made from softwood species. It does not apply to overlaid panels.
This European Standard specifies the nature and limits of characteristics inherent in wood and manufacturing defects enabling the visual assessment of theplywood for allocation to an appearance class. This classification is a contribution to assessing the finishing suitability of plywood. This part of EN 635 applies to plywood, the surface veneers of which are made from softwood species. It does not apply to overlaid panels.
EN 635-3:1995 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 79.060.10 - Plywood. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 635-3:1995 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 635-5:1999, EN 12369-2:2011, EN 13810-1:2002, EN 636:2012+A1:2015, EN 636:2012, EN 13815:2006, EN 14279:2004+A1:2009, CEN/TS 635-4:2007, EN 12369-2:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 635-3:1995 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011, 89/106/EEC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 635-3:1995 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-1996
Vezan les - Klasifikacija po videzu površine - 3. del: Iglavci
Plywood - Classification by surface appearance - Part 3: Softwood
Sperrholz - Klassifizierung nach dem Aussehen der Oberfläche - Teil 3: Nadelholz
Contreplaqué - Classification selon l'aspect des faces - Partie 3: Bois résineux
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 635-3:1995
ICS:
79.060.10 Vezan les Plywood
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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