CEN/TC 249/WG 4 - Decorative laminated sheets based on thermosetting resins

This European Standard specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of high-pressure decorative laminates as defined in Clause 3. These methods are primarily intended for testing the sheets specified in EN 438-3, EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-8, and EN 438-9.
The precision of the test methods, specified in this European Standard, is not known because inter-laboratory data are not yet available. When inter-laboratory data will be obtained, precision statements will be added to the test method at the following revision. For those test methods having an end point determination based on subjective judgement, it is not meaningful to make a statement of precision.

This document specifies performance requirements for design laminates intended for interior use with a design effect surface having a phenolic based core and a decorative surface, not covered by EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3] and EN 438-6 [4]. Three surface layer types (metal, wood veneer and pearlescent decor) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) intended for interior use, the core compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1] to EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core composition types (coloured core and metal reinforced core) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.

This European Standard applies to six classes of flooring grade laminates less than 2 mm thick produced by using a high pressure process, intended for bonding to supporting substrates, to produce HPL flooring elements. For laminate floor covering applications they meet the surface property requirements specified in EN 13329.
High-pressure decorative flooring laminates are characterised by their high resistance to abrasion, aesthetic qualities and durability. They have good hygienic and anti-static properties and are easy to clean and maintain.
The requirements in this document apply only to the high-pressure laminate, and additional properties will need to be specified in order to define the functional performance of the finished flooring product.
This European Standard applies only to decorative laminates as defined in Clause 3.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this European Standard.

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for two types of compact laminate of thickness 2 mm or greater produced by using a high pressure process intended for interior use .
High-pressure decorative Compact laminates are characterised by their aesthetic qualities, strength, durability and functional performance. Compact HPL sheets are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and surface finishes; they are extremely strong, and resistant to wear, impact, scratching, moisture, heat and staining; and possess good hygienic and anti-static properties, being easy to clean and maintain.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this European Standard.

This European Standard applies to laminates less than 2 mm thick produced by using an high pressure process, normally intended for bonding to supporting substrates to produce HPL composite panels and establishes a classification system for high-pressure decorative laminates according to their performance and main recommended fields of application, including materials with special characteristics, for example formability or defined reaction to fire. This European Standard also specifies requirements for the properties of the various types of laminates covered by this classification system.
High-pressure decorative laminates are characterised by their qualities, durability and functional performance. HPL sheets are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and surface finishes; they are resistant to wear, scratching, impact, moisture, heat and staining; and possess good hygienic and anti-static properties, being easy to clean and maintain.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this European Standard. EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-7, EN 438-8 and EN 438-9 are reserved for special types of HPL materials.

This part of EN 438 gives an overview of the standard, and provides guidance in the selection and application of test methods and specifications contained in EN 438-2, EN 438-3, EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-7, EN 438-8 and EN 438-9.
This European Standard is applicable to high-pressure decorative laminate(s) (HPL) produced by using a high pressure process.

This European Standard applies to Exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater produced by using a high pressure process. It specifies requirements for standard and flame-retardant laminates intended for use under outdoor weather conditions such as direct sunlight rain and frost. Two levels of performance are specified; one for moderate exterior conditions, and the other for severe exterior conditions.
Laminates complying with this European Standard are referred to as Exterior-grade Compact laminates, and are characterized by their high tensile strength, high impact resistance, thermal shock resistance, and resistance to weather and corrosion. They are available in a variety of decorative colours, with high resistance to colour change and aging in outdoor applications. When they are self-supporting Exterior-grade Compact laminates are ready for installation, and only require cutting to size, drilling, etc. to suit the application. EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this part of EN 438.

ISO 19712-2:2007 specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of solid surfacing materials in the form of sheets. These methods are primarily intended for testing the materials specified in ISO 19712‑1.

ISO 19712-1:2008 establishes a classification system for solid surfacing materials according to their performance.
ISO 19712-1:2008 also specifies property requirements for the various types of solid surfacing materials covered by this classification. Requirements are specified for the types that are most generally used, but additional types may be added as required. The specified limit values apply to the most commonly used types of material, but within each classification it may be possible to obtain variants having much higher performance values.
These materials are characterized by their homogeneous appearance, renewable surfaces and inconspicuous seams. They are generally classified as solid surface sheets (designed for horizontal, vertical, wet and dry applications) and solid surface shapes (including, but not limited to, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, vanity tops, showers, tubs and spas).
The important properties of solid surfacing materials are water resistance, thermal shock resistance, heat resistance, impact resistance, stain and chemical resistance, cigarette burn resistance, colour stability, hardness, bacterial and fungal resistance, cleanability, hygiene, seamability and renewability.

This document specifies the health, safety and energy saving requirements for:
·   Compact laminate panels/sidings for interior wall and ceiling finishes (including suspended ceilings);
·   HPL composite panels/sidings for interior wall and ceiling finishes (including suspended ceilings);
·   Compact laminate panels/sidings for exterior wall and ceiling finishes (including suspended ceilings);
·   HPL composite panels/sidings for exterior wall and ceiling finishes (including suspended ceilings).
It also specifies methods for the evaluation of conformity of the product to the requirements, and includes requirements for marking. It covers only the HPL panels for non-structural applications, and does not cover fixing systems.
The products are intended for use as wall and ceiling finishes for internal and external applications according to the manufacturer's specifications.
The scope of this document does not cover:
a) overlaid or veneered wood-based panels where the overlay/veneer is not HPL;
b) HPL-surfaced wood-based panels intended for use as structural components. These products are covered by EN 13986 (wood-based panels for use in construction).
This document covers only characteristics related to health, safety and energy-saving. All other characteristics are covered in separate European Standards for HPL products (see aAnnex B).
b) HPL-surfaced wood-based panels intended for use as structural components. These products are covered by EN 13986 (wood-based panels for use in construction).
This European Standard covers only characteristics related to health, safety and energy-saving. All other characteristics are covered in separate European Standards for HPL products (see annex B).

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.

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.

ISO 19712-3:2007 specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of solid surfacing materials in the form of shaped products. These methods are primarily intended for testing the materials specified in ISO 19712‑1.

This European Standard specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of high-pressure decorative laminates as defined in Clause 3. These methods are primarily intended for testing the sheets specified in EN 438-3, EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-8, and EN 438-9.
The precision of the test methods, specified in this European Standard, is not known because inter-laboratory data are not yet available. When inter-laboratory data will be obtained, precision statements will be added to the test method at the following revision. For those test methods having an end point determination based on subjective judgement, it is not meaningful to make a statement of precision.

This part of EN 438 specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) intended for interior use with a design effect surface having a phenolic based core and a decorative surface, not covered by EN 438-3 to EN 438-6. Three surface material types (metal, wood veneer and pearlescent decor) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) intended for interior use, the core compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1] to EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core composition types (coloured core and metal reinforced core) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.

This Part of EN 438 gives an overview of the standard, and provides guidance in the selection and application of test methods and specifications contained in Parts 2 to 7 of EN 438.

This Part of EN 438 applies to five classes of flooring grade laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates, to produce HPL flooring elements. For laminate floor covering applications they meet the surface property requirements specified in EN 13329.                                                                                                  
High-pressure decorative flooring laminates are characterised by their high resistance to abrasion, aesthetic qualities and durability. They have good hygienic and anti-static properties and are easy to clean and maintain.
The requirements in this document apply only to the high-pressure laminate, and additional properties will need to be specified in order to define the functional performance of the finished flooring product.
This Part of EN 438 applies only to decorative laminates as defined in Clause 3.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this part of EN 438.

This Part of EN 438 specifies performance requirements for two types of Compact laminate (defined in Clause 4) of thickness 2 mm or greater intended for interior use.
High-pressure decorative Compact laminates are characterised by their aesthetic qualities, strength, durability and functional performance. Compact HPL sheets are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and surface finishes; they are extremely strong, and resistant to wear, impact, scratching, moisture, heat and staining; and possess good hygienic and anti-static properties, being easy to clean and maintain.
prEN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this part of EN 438.

This Part of EN 438 applies to laminates less than 2 mm thick normally intended for bonding to supporting substrates to produce HPL composite panels and establishes a classification system for high-pressure decorative laminates according to their performance and main recommended fields of application, including materials with special characteristics, for example formability or defined reaction to fire.  This Part of EN 438 also specifies requirements for the properties of the various types of laminates covered by this classification system.
High-pressure decorative laminates are characterised by their qualities, durability and functional performance. HPL sheets are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and surface finishes; they are resistant to wear, scratching, impact, moisture, heat and staining; and possess good hygienic and anti-static properties, being easy to clean and maintain.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this Part of EN 438.  Parts 4, 5, etc. of EN- 438 are reserved for special types of HPL materials.

This part of EN 438 specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of high-pressure decorative laminates as defined in Clause 3. These methods are primarily intended for testing the sheets specified in EN 438-3, 4, 5 and 6.
The precision of the test methods specified in Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 32 and 33 of this part of EN 438 is not known because inter-laboratory data are not available.  When inter-laboratory data are obtained, precision statements will be added to the test methods at the following revision. As all the other test methods have an end point determination based on subjective judgement, it is not meaningful to make a statement of precision in these cases.

This Part of EN 438 applies to Exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2mm and greater. It specifies requirements for standard and flame-retardant laminates intended for use under outdoor weather conditions such as direct sunlight rain and frost. Two levels of performance are specified; one for moderate exterior conditions, and the other for severe exterior conditions. Laminates complying with this Part of EN 438 are referred to as Exterior-grade Compact laminates, and are characterized by their high tensile strength, high impact resistance, thermal shock resistance, and resistance to weather and corrosion. They are available in a variety of decorative colours, with high resistance to colour change and aging in outdoor applications. When they are self-supporting Exterior-grade Compact laminates are ready for installation, and only require cutting to size, drilling, etc. to suit the application. EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this Part of EN 438.

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) intended for interior use, the core compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1] to EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core composition types (coloured core and metal reinforced core) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.