SIST EN ISO 23997:2012

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 is the Slovenian adoption of EN ISO 23997:2012, which takes over ISO 23997:2007 without modification. It specifies a test method for determining the mass per unit area of resilient floor coverings, so users can compare products on a common basis.

What does SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 specify?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 specifies how to determine the mass per unit area of a resilient floor covering. The method is for test specimens taken from a sample of the covering, and the result is reported in grams per square metre.

The document is organized into short test-method clauses: scope, terms and definitions, principle, apparatus, conditioning atmosphere, sampling and selection of specimens, test procedure, calculation and expression of results, precision statement, and test report. In practice, that means the standard gives both the measurement steps and the reporting items needed to make the result usable in product testing and comparison.

What are the key requirements of SIST EN ISO 23997:2012?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 uses a simple weigh-and-measure method: take specimens of defined size, weigh them, measure their area, and calculate mass per unit area. For a buyer, laboratory, or quality manager, the important point is that the result depends on both accurate mass measurement and accurate size measurement.

Specimen conditioning and test atmosphere

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 requires conditioning the specimen at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % relative humidity for at least 24 h, and keeping those conditions during testing. This matters because floor coverings can change slightly with moisture and temperature, so the test should reflect a controlled condition rather than a random shop-floor environment.

Sampling and number of specimens

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 calls for a representative sample from the available material and five specimens taken at equal distances from the sample. The outer edge of the sample must be at least 100 mm from the nearest edge of the specimen, and the specimens can be square or round with an area of at least 0,01 m², or taken from individual tiles; full tiles may also be used. In practice, this reduces edge effects and helps make the result representative of the material.

Apparatus and measurement accuracy

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 specifies a balance capable of weighing to the nearest 10 mg and a calliper gauge capable of measuring specimen size to the nearest 0,05 mm. That level of control matters because the final value is a ratio of mass to area, so small measurement errors can affect the reported result.

Test procedure and calculation

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 requires measuring and recording the surface dimensions of each specimen to the nearest 0,1 mm, then weighing each specimen separately to the nearest 10 mg. The calculated result is mass per unit area in grams per square metre, and the standard gives rounding rules for results at or below 1 000 g/m² and above 1 000 g/m². A mean value is then calculated for the five specimens and expressed to the nearest gram.

Precision and reporting

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 states that a round-robin test will be conducted to determine the precision of the method. The test report must identify the product, include its type, source, colour and manufacturer’s reference numbers, state the previous history of the sample, give the mean mass per unit area, and record any deviation that could affect the results. That makes the result traceable and easier to compare across laboratories or procurement files.

What terms does SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 define?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 defines mass per unit area as the quotient of mass and area, expressed in grams per square metre. This is the main property the test measures.

A specimen is one of the defined pieces taken from the floor-covering sample for weighing and measuring. The test uses five specimens to build the reported mean value.

A representative sample is material taken from the available floor covering so the test reflects the product being assessed. This matters because the result should describe the material, not just one local spot.

A full tile is one of the pieces that may be used directly as a specimen. This is useful when sampling tiled products without cutting a separate test piece.

A balance is the weighing device used for the specimen, and the standard requires measurement to the nearest 10 mg. That accuracy supports reliable calculation of the final ratio.

A calliper gauge is the instrument used to measure specimen size to the nearest 0,05 mm. Accurate size measurement is needed because area drives the denominator in the result.

Who uses SIST EN ISO 23997:2012?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 is used by laboratories testing resilient floor coverings, manufacturers checking product consistency, and quality managers verifying declared product properties. It is also relevant to buyers and specifiers who need comparable data for procurement, and to conformity assessment bodies that need a defined test method for documentation and reporting.

What changed in SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 from the previous edition?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 supersedes EN 430:1994. The CEN endorsement notice states that ISO 23997:2007 was adopted as EN ISO 23997:2012 without modification.

What does the SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 document contain?

SIST EN ISO 23997:2012 contains a direct test method with a defined conditioning atmosphere, sampling instructions, specimen size guidance, and measurement steps for mass and area. It also includes the calculation method for mass per unit area, rounding rules for the reported result, and the required contents of the test report.

The document is practical rather than theoretical. It gives the user the steps needed to prepare specimens, measure them, calculate the result, and document it in a repeatable way.