EN 233:2016
(Main)Wallcoverings in roll form - Specification for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard:
- specifies requirements for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings;
- specifies requirements for marking;
- gives the designation system.
The marking requirements of this standard are primarily for the consumer's information to enable optimum selection of the product.
This standard applies to finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings not intended for subsequent decoration supplied in rolls for hanging on indoor walls and ceilings by means of an adhesive covering the whole of the interface between the wallcovering and the support surface.
Excluded from this standard are rigid materials, materials not attached or not wholly attached by adhesive, wallcoverings for subsequent decoration, textile wallcoverings and non-decorative wallcoverings such as wall linings or those with special properties, e.g. thermal or acoustic insulation.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Nov-2016
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2017
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 99 - Wallcoverings
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 99 - Wallcoverings
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 19-Oct-2022
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 233:2016 (CEN) specifies requirements, marking and a designation system for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings supplied in rolls for hanging on indoor walls and ceilings. The standard applies to products that are ready for use and not intended for subsequent decoration. It excludes rigid materials, textile wallcoverings, wallcoverings for subsequent decoration and non-decorative or special-purpose linings (e.g. thermal or acoustic insulation).
The marking requirements are primarily consumer-focused to enable optimum product selection and safe installation.
Key Topics
- Scope and categories: Defines three product categories (including friezes) and nominal roll dimensions and tolerances for categories 1–3.
- Dimensions and geometry: Usable dimensions, straightness and parallelity are measured per EN 12956; edge straightness tolerance is specified over 1 m and width measurements have defined tolerances.
- Surface performance:
- Spongeability - ability to remove fresh adhesive without visible damage (tested per EN 12956).
- Washability - graded levels (washable, extra-washable, scrubbable) with test criteria in EN 12956.
- Colour fastness to light - measured by EN ISO 105-B02; minimum rating required is not less than 4.
- Chemical safety limits (tested per EN 12149):
- Migration limits for heavy metals and elements (e.g. Lead 90 mg/kg, Cadmium 25 mg/kg, Mercury 20 mg/kg) with analytical correction factors applied.
- Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) content limit: ≤ 0.2 mg/kg.
- Formaldehyde release limit: ≤ 120 mg/kg.
- Marking and symbols: Mandatory visible marking on roll, packaging or label must include EN number, manufacturer identification, product description and performance symbols (spongeability, washability, colour fastness and adhesive application) as per EN 235.
- Sampling: Sampling for testing follows Annex A and referenced sampling standards.
Applications
EN 233:2016 is used by manufacturers, specifiers, retailers and consumers to:
- Verify that finished wallcoverings meet defined safety and performance criteria for indoor use.
- Provide clear product labelling to support purchasing decisions and correct installation.
- Inform installers about product-specific handling, adhesive application and removal methods through standardized symbols.
Practical benefits include improved consumer confidence, simplified compliance checks and consistent performance expectations across the European market.
Related Standards
- EN 235 - Wallcoverings: Vocabulary and symbols (labelling and symbols referenced by EN 233)
- EN 12149 - Methods for migration, VCM and formaldehyde testing
- EN 12956 - Determination of dimensions, straightness, spongeability and washability
- EN ISO 105-B02 - Colour fastness to artificial light (Xenon arc)
- EN 234, EN 259, EN 266, EN 15102 - Other wallcovering specifications and decorative product standards
For product development, conformity checks and procurement, referencing EN 233:2016 ensures consistent technical criteria, clear marking and safer indoor wallcovering selection.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 23-Nov-2016
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 234:2019 - Wallcoverings in roll form - Specification for wallcoverings for subsequent decoration - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 233:2016 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Wallcoverings in roll form - Specification for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings". This standard covers: This European Standard: - specifies requirements for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings; - specifies requirements for marking; - gives the designation system. The marking requirements of this standard are primarily for the consumer's information to enable optimum selection of the product. This standard applies to finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings not intended for subsequent decoration supplied in rolls for hanging on indoor walls and ceilings by means of an adhesive covering the whole of the interface between the wallcovering and the support surface. Excluded from this standard are rigid materials, materials not attached or not wholly attached by adhesive, wallcoverings for subsequent decoration, textile wallcoverings and non-decorative wallcoverings such as wall linings or those with special properties, e.g. thermal or acoustic insulation.
This European Standard: - specifies requirements for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings; - specifies requirements for marking; - gives the designation system. The marking requirements of this standard are primarily for the consumer's information to enable optimum selection of the product. This standard applies to finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings not intended for subsequent decoration supplied in rolls for hanging on indoor walls and ceilings by means of an adhesive covering the whole of the interface between the wallcovering and the support surface. Excluded from this standard are rigid materials, materials not attached or not wholly attached by adhesive, wallcoverings for subsequent decoration, textile wallcoverings and non-decorative wallcoverings such as wall linings or those with special properties, e.g. thermal or acoustic insulation.
EN 233:2016 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.180 - Interior finishing. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 233:2016 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 233:1999, EN 235:2020, EN 12149:1997, EN ISO 186:2002, EN ISO 105-B02:2014, EN 234:2019, EN 12956:1999. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 233:2016 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)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Stenske obloge v zvitkih - Specifikacija za tapete, stenske obloge iz vinila in umetne maseWandbekleidungen in Rollen - Festlegungen für fertige Papier-, Vinyl- und KunststoffwandbekleidungenRevêtements muraux en rouleaux - Spécification des papiers peints finis, des revêtements muraux vinyles et des revêtements muraux en plastiqueWallcoverings in roll form - Specification for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings91.180Interior finishingICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 233:2016SIST EN 233:2017en,fr,de01-januar-2017SIST EN 233:2017SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 233:20001DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 233
November
t r s x ICS
{ sä s z r Supersedes EN
t u uã s { { {English Version
Wallcoverings in roll form æ Specification for finished wallpapersá wall vinyls and plastics wallcoverings Revêtements muraux en rouleaux æ Spécification des papiers peints finisá des revêtements muraux vinyles et des revêtements muraux en plastique
Wandbekleidungen in Rollen æ Festlegungen für fertige Papieræá Vinylæ und Kunststoffwandbekleidungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t x May
t r s xä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s x CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
t u uã t r s x ESIST EN 233:2017
Page European foreword . 3 Introduction . 4 1 Scope . 5 2 Normative references . 5 3 Terms and definitions . 5 4 Categories . 5 5 Specifications . 6 5.1 General . 6 5.2 Dimensions . 6 5.2.1 General . 6 5.2.2 Category 1 . 6 5.2.3 Category 2 . 6 5.2.4 Category 3 (friezes) . 6 5.3 Straightness and parallelity of the edges . 6 5.4 Spongeability . 6 5.5 Washability . 7 5.6 Colour fastness to light . 7 5.7 Maximum migration of heavy metals and certain other elements . 7 5.7.1 Test method . 7 5.7.2 Requirements . 7 5.7.3 Interpretation of results . 7 5.8 Maximum vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) content . 8 5.8.1 Test method . 8 5.8.2 Requirements . 8 5.9 Maximum formaldehyde release . 8 5.9.1 Test method . 8 5.9.2 Requirements . 8 6 Matching, application of adhesive, removal and miscellaneous symbols . 8 7 Marking, Iabelling, packaging . 9 7.1 Visible marking . 9 7.2 Additional marking . 9 Annex A (normative)
Sampling for testing . 10
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