EN 49-2:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a method for the determination of the protective effectiveness or the toxic values of a wood preservative against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival in wood which has been treated previously by full impregnation. This method is applicable to:; - water-insoluble chemicals which are being studied as active insecticides,; - organic formulations, as supplied or as prepared in the laboratory by dilution of concentrates,; - organic water-dispersible formulations as supplied or as prepared in the laboratory by dilution of concentrates, or; - water-soluble materials, for example salts.; The method is applicable whether or not the test specimens have been subjected to appropriate ageing procedures.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 24-Nov-2026
• ICS: 71.100.50 - Wood-protecting chemicals
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 38 - Durability of wood and derived materials
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 38/WG 24 - Insect testing - (beetles - termites)
• Current Stage: 6055 - CEN Ratification completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 25-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 03-Mar-2027
• Completion Date: 25-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 49-2:2026 - Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective effectiveness against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival - Part 2: Application by impregnation (Laboratory method)

• Revises: EN 49-2:2015 - Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective effectiveness against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival - Part 2: Application by impregnation (Laboratory method)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

EN 49-2:2026 is a CEN standard for a laboratory method that measures the protective effectiveness or toxic values of a wood preservative against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) when the wood has been treated by full impregnation. It is intended for preservatives applied to timber and for laboratories and suppliers that need to compare egg laying, egg hatch, and larval survival on treated and untreated wood.

What does EN 49-2:2026 specify?

EN 49-2:2026 specifies how to test wood previously treated by full impregnation and then exposed to Anobium punctatum in the laboratory. The method applies to water-insoluble chemicals, organic formulations, organic water-dispersible formulations, and water-soluble materials such as salts, whether or not ageing procedures have been carried out.

The document is organized into clauses 1 to 11 and four informative annexes.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Example of a test report
Annex B	Identification of sex of test insects
Annex C	Culturing technique for Anobium punctatum
Annex D	Environmental, health and safety precautions in the chemical/biological laboratory

What are the key requirements of EN 49-2:2026?

EN 49-2:2026 is built around comparing treated specimens with untreated controls, then judging performance from egg laying, egg hatch, and surviving larvae. In practice, the method tells a laboratory how to prepare the wood, treat it, expose it to insects, and report the outcome in a way that can be compared between products.

• Test principle - clause 4: Treated specimens are exposed to gravid females of Anobium punctatum, and the number of eggs laid, eggs hatched, and surviving larvae is compared with untreated controls. If the preservative was prepared by dilution or dissolution, solvent or diluent controls are also used. This matters because the result must separate preservative action from any effect of the carrier liquid.

• Wood and specimen preparation - clause 7: The reference wood is European oak, either sessile oak (Quercus petraea) or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), with defined quality and geometry. Specimens are prepared to the specified size, marked for identification, and taken from a suitable distribution of trees or stock. This matters because wood structure affects insect development and preservative uptake, so the test must start from consistent material.

• Test materials and insects - clause 5: Adults of Anobium punctatum must be in good condition, recently emerged, quarantined, checked for damage and mites, and sexed before use. The document also sets out the reagents, chambers, vessels, and equipment needed for treatment, drying, exposure, and optional imaging. This matters because insect condition and test environment directly affect egg laying and larval survival.

• Impregnation treatment - clause 8.1.2: Fresh treatment solutions are prepared before use, and toxic-value testing requires at least five concentrations arranged around the expected toxic range. Impregnation is carried out under vacuum, with the specimens fully submerged, then weighed before and after treatment to determine retention in kilograms per cubic metre. This matters because the method does not only check whether a product works - it also links effect to the amount retained in the wood.

• Drying, conditioning, and ageing - clause 8.1.3: Treated specimens are dried and conditioned in a controlled sequence, with extra precautions for water-diluted preservatives to limit mould growth. If ageing is required, it is carried out after drying using EN 73 or EN 84. This matters because post-treatment conditioning changes the state of the wood before insect exposure and can influence the test outcome.

• Exposure and examination - clauses 8.2 to 8.4: The transverse faces are sealed, egg-laying zones are fitted with fine cloth, and each specimen is exposed with five female insects and at least five male insects. The test is examined after about one week, then finally after 26 weeks or 52 weeks depending on the expected mode of action. This matters because the method tracks both early egg laying and longer-term survival of larvae.

• Validity and reporting - clauses 9 to 11: A result is valid only when control specimens yield more than 50 live larvae in total and live larvae are present in all control specimens. The report must state the specimen results, toxic values if determined, the wood species, concentrations, treatment details, ageing, dates, and any departures from the method. This matters because users need a complete record to judge whether the result can support product assessment.

What terms does EN 49-2:2026 define?

• Representative sample - A sample whose physical or chemical characteristics match the volumetric average of the whole batch being sampled.
• Supplier - The person or company that sponsors the test and provides the wood preservative sample.
• Protective effectiveness - The ability of the preservative to limit egg laying, egg hatch, and larval survival in treated wood compared with controls.
• Toxic values - The two retention levels that bracket the point where larvae are eliminated, expressed as kilograms of preservative per cubic metre of treated wood.
• Control test specimen - A comparison specimen, either untreated or treated only with solvent or diluent, used to show the baseline response of the insect.
• Anobium punctatum - The beetle species used in the test to challenge the treated wood.

Who uses EN 49-2:2026?

EN 49-2:2026 is used by laboratories that test wood preservatives, by manufacturers and formulators of preservative products, and by suppliers submitting samples for assessment. It is also relevant to quality managers and technical staff who need a repeatable way to compare products intended for full impregnation of wood.

The standard is most useful in wood preservation, biocidal products, timber treatment, and product development work. It supports routine performance testing, concentration screening, and technical reporting for preservatives assessed against Anobium punctatum.

What changed in EN 49-2:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 49-2:2026 supersedes EN 49-2:2015. The foreword states three technical changes:

• temperature and humidity requirements were aligned with other insect test standards;
• imaging facilities for non-destructive recording of internal tunnels were generalized;
• storage limitations for wood used to make test specimens were cancelled.

These changes affect how laboratories control the environment, observe larval tunnelling, and source their test wood.

Which standards are used with EN 49-2:2026?

• EN 73 - Used when accelerated evaporative ageing of treated wood is needed before biological testing.
• EN 84 - Used when accelerated leaching ageing is needed before biological testing.
• EN ISO 3696 - Supplies the water quality requirement for laboratory use.
• EN 212 - Cited for sampling preservatives from bulk supplies.
• EN 49-1 - The companion part for preservatives intended for surface treatment; EN 49-2 covers impregnation.

What does the EN 49-2:2026 document contain?

EN 49-2:2026 contains the full laboratory workflow from specimen selection through final reporting. It sets out the principle of the test, the test materials, sampling, specimen dimensions and numbers, impregnation under vacuum, drying and conditioning, exposure to insects, validity checks, and the expression of results.

It also includes a detailed test-report requirement and an example report in Annex A. Annex B gives a way to identify male and female insects, Annex C describes how to culture Anobium punctatum, and Annex D gives laboratory safety and environmental precautions for work with chemicals and biological material.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
01-december-2025
Biocidni proizvodi za zaščito lesa - Ugotavljanje učinkovitosti preventivne zaščite
proti navadnemu trdoglavcu Anobium punctatum (De Geer) glede na število
odloženih jajčec in preživelih ličink - 2. del: Postopek z globinsko impregnacijo
lesa (laboratorijska metoda)
Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective effectiveness against Anobium
punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival - Part 2: Application by
impregnation (Laboratory method)
Holzschutzmittel - Bestimmung der vorbeugenden Wirkung gegenüber Anobium
punctatum (De Geer) durch Beobachten der Eiablage und des Überlebens von Larven -
Teil 2: Anwendung durch Volltränkung (Laboratoriumsverfahren)
Produits de préservation du bois - Détermination de l'efficacité protectrice vis-à-vis
d'Anobium punctatum (De Geer) par l'observation de la ponte et du taux de survie des
larves - Partie 2 : Application par imprégnation (Méthode de laboratoire)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 49-2
ICS:
71.100.50 Kemikalije za zaščito lesa Wood-protecting chemicals
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 49-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 71.100.50 Will supersede EN 49-2:2015
English Version
Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective
effectiveness against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by
egg-laying and larval survival - Part 2: Application by
impregnation (Laboratory method)
Produits de préservation du bois - Détermination de Holzschutzmittel - Bestimmung der vorbeugenden
l'efficacité protectrice vis à vis de Anobium punctatum Wirkung gegenüber Anobium punctatum (De Geer)
(De Geer) par l'observation de la ponte et de la survie durch Beobachten der Eiablage und des Überlebens
des larves - Partie 2 : Application par imprégnation von Larven - Teil 2: Anwendung durch Volltränkung
(Méthode de laboratoire) (Laboratoriumsverfahren)
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 38.
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, Türkiye 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 NORMALISATIO N

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUN G

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 49-2:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative reference . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Principle . 5
5 Test materials . 6
5.1 Biological material . 6
5.2 Products and reagents . 6
5.3 Apparatus . 7
6 Sampling . 8
7 Test specimens . 8
7.1 Species of wood . 8
7.2 Wood quality . 8
7.3 Provision of test specimens . 8
7.4 Dimensions of test specimens . 8
7.5 Number of test specimens . 9
8 Procedure. 9
8.1 Preparation of the test specimens . 9
8.1.1 Conditioning of test specimens before treatment . 9
8.1.2 Treatment of the test specimens . 9
8.1.3 Drying and conditioning of the test specimens after treatment . 10
8.2 Exposure of the test specimens to the insects . 11
8.3 Conditions and duration of the test . 11
8.4 Examination of the test specimens . 11
9 Validity of test . 12
10 Expression of results . 12
10.1 Assessment of the protective effectiveness . 12
10.2 Toxic values . 12
11 Test report . 12
Annex A (informative) Example of a test report . 14
Annex B (informative) Identification of sex of test insects (Anobium punctatum). 16
Annex C (informative) Culturing technique for Anobium punctatum. 17
Annex D (informative) Environmental, health and safety precautions within
chemical/biological laboratory . 20
Bibliography . 21

oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 49-2:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 38 “Biological
durability of wood and wood-based products”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 49-2:2015.
Significant technical differences between this document and EN 49-2:2015 are as follows:
a) requirements for temperature and humidity were aligned with other insect test standards (5.3.1;
5.3.5);
b) imaging facilities for non-destructive recordings of insect tunnels inside test specimens were
generalized (5.3.13);
c) storage limitations for wood from which test specimens are to be made from have been cancelled
(7.2).
NOTE Test results obtained according to earlier versions of this document or when the tests had started
before this version of EN 49-1 was published are considered as valid.
EN 49, Wood preservatives ― Determination of the protective effectiveness against Anobium punctatum
(De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival, consists of two parts:
— Part 1: Application by surface treatment (Laboratory method);
— Part 2: Application by impregnation (Laboratory method).
EN 49-1 is required to enable effectiveness assessments of wood preservatives which are intended to
be applied by surface treatment and EN 49-2 those which are intended to be applied by impregnation.

oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document describes a laboratory method of testing which gives a basis for assessment of the
effectiveness of a wood preservative, against Anobium punctatum. It allows the determination of the
concentration at which the product prevents the development of infestation from egg laying.
The method simulates conditions which can occur in practice on timber which has been treated some
time previously with a deeply penetrating wood preservative and on which eggs of Anobium punctatum
are laid.
This laboratory method provides one criterion by which the value of a product can be assessed. In
making this assessment the methods by which the preservative may be applied should be taken into
account. It is further recommended that results from this test should be supplemented by those from
other appropriate tests, and above all by comparison with practical experience.
When products which are very active at low concentrations are used it is very important to take
suitable precautions to isolate and separate, as far as possible, operations involving chemical products,
other products, treated wood, laboratory apparatus and clothing. Suitable precautions should include
the use of separate rooms, areas within rooms, extraction facilities, conditioning chambers and special
training for personnel (see also Annex D for environmental, health and safety precautions).

oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of the protective effectiveness or the toxic
values of a wood preservative against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival in
wood which has been treated previously by full impregnation. This method is applicable to:
— water-insoluble chemicals which are being studied as active insecticides;
— organic formulations, as supplied or as prepared in the laboratory by dilution of concentrates;
— organic water-dispersible formulations as supplied or as prepared in the laboratory by dilution of
concentrates;
— water-soluble materials, for example salts.
The method is applicable whether or not the test specimens have been subjected to appropriate ageing
procedures.
2 Normative reference
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 73, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Accelerated ageing of treated wood prior to
biological testing — Evaporative ageing procedure
EN 84, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Accelerated ageing of treated wood prior to
biological testing — Leaching procedure
EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods (ISO 3696)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
representative sample
sample having its physical or chemical characteristics identical to the volumetric average
characteristics of the total volume being sampled
3.2
supplier
sponsor of the test (person or company providing the sample of wood preservative to be tested)
4 Principle
The treated test specimens are exposed to gravid females of Anobium punctatum. The numbers of eggs
laid, the numbers of eggs hatched, and the numbers of the surviving larvae are compared with those in
untreated control test specimens. If the preservative has been prepared in the laboratory by dilution of
a concentrate or by dissolution of a solid, the resulting attack is also compared to that in solvent or
diluent treated control test specimens.
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
Depending on the test being carried out either
— on a set of test specimens of a susceptible wood species that is impregnated with a solution of the
preservative, or
— if toxic values are to be determined, on several sets of test specimens of a susceptible wood species
that are impregnated with a series of solutions in which the concentration of preservative is ranged
in a given progression.
5 Test materials
5.1 Biological material
Anobium punctatum (De Geer)
Adult males and females in good condition.
Adults to be used in the test shall be collected daily from naturally infested wood or laboratory culture
(see Annex C).
Use recently emerged adults which have been recently collected; kept overnight in quarantine (see C.2.2
and C.6) and then checked to ensure that they are undamaged, active, and free from any infestation by
mites. Determine the sex (see Annex B) of the collected and checked adults and place the males and
females in separate containers.
NOTE The proportion of males and females varies during the emergence period.
5.2 Products and reagents
5.2.1 Paraffin wax, for sealing the end sections of test specimens.
NOTE Paraffin wax with a setting point of 52 °C to 54 °C has been found to be suitable.
5.2.2 Paste, for securing fine cloth (5.2.7), the paste shall be starch-free, non-toxic to Anobium
punctatum and insoluble in the product under test.
NOTE Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, food grade, has been found to be suitable.
5.2.3 Xylene, technical grade.
Other products may be used which have been shown suitable for preventing the growth of mould but
not interfere with the test method.
5.2.4 Water, complying with grade 3 of EN ISO 3696 shall be used.
5.2.5 Solvent or diluent, a volatile liquid that will dissolve or dilute the preservative but does not
leave a residue in the wood at the end of the post-treatment conditioning period that has a toxic effect
on the insects.
CAUTION — Do not use benzene or other solvents which pose a health risk.
5.2.6 Filter paper, ordinary quality, medium-fast grade.
5.2.7 Fine cloth of a suitable material with a mesh aperture of 0,3 mm to 0,6 mm for the preparation
of the egg-laying zones.
NOTE Cotton, linen or polyamide-gauze have also been proven suitable.
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
5.3 Apparatus
5.3.1 Culturing chamber, with air circulation, controlled at (21 ± 2) °C, and at relative humidity
(75 ± 5) %.
5.3.2 Conditioning chamber, well ventilated, controlled at (20 ± 2) °C and at relative humidity
(65 ± 5) %.
The conditioning of test specimens may be carried out in the laboratory work area (see 5.3.4) provided
that this has the conditions specified for the conditioning chamber (see 5.3.2).
5.3.3 Treatment vessel(s), of a material that does not react with the preservative under test, for
example of glass for organic products and of polyethylene for salts containing fluorine.
5.3.4 Laboratory work area, well ventilated, where treatment of the test specimens is carried out.
CAUTION — It is essential to follow safety procedures for handling flammable and toxic
materials. Avoid excessive exposure of operators to solvents or their vapours.
5.3.5 Testing chamber, ventilated and air-conditioned, controlled at (22 ± 2) °C and at a relative
humidity of (75 ± 5) %.
5.3.6 Drying vessel(s), capable of holding sets of five test specimens (7.5), provided with a close-
fitting cover and containing supports that will give minimum contact with treated test specimens to be
placed on them. The vessels and supports shall be of a material that does not react with the
preservative under test, for example glass for organic compounds and polyethylene for products
containing fluorine.
5.3.7 Vacuum vessel(s), fitted with stopcocks, capable of receiving the treatment vessels (5.3.3).
)
5.3.8 Vacuum pump, fitted with a pressure gauge and capable of maintaining a pressure of 700 Pa .
5.3.9 Weights, to provide ballast for the test specimens. The weights shall not react with any
materials with which they come into contact during the test.
5.3.10 Safety equipment, protective clothing, protective gloves appropriate for the test product
and the test solvent, to ensure the safety of the operator.
5.3.11 Test containers, suitable for holding the test specimens and of material resistant to the
solvents used, and fitted with perforated covers to provide a good exchange of air.
NOTE Jars of approximately 60 mm diameter and 100 mm height have been found to be suitable.
5.3.12 Ordinary laboratory equipment, including a balance capable of weighing to an accuracy of
0,01 g.
5.3.13 Imaging facilities e.g. X-ray apparatus, or any other device that offers good images (2D), of
internal tunnels caused by small larvae.

1)
100 Pa = 1 mbar.
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
6 Sampling
The sample of preservative shall be representative of the product to be tested. Samples shall be stored
and handled in accordance with any written recommendations from the supplier.
For the sampling of preservatives from bulk supplies, the procedure given in EN 212 should be used.
7 Test specimens
7.1 Species of wood
The reference species is European oak. This shall be either sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka)
Lieblin) or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur Linnaeus).
)
Additional tests may be carried out using other timber species but, if so, this should be stated in the
test report.
7.2 Wood quality
The wood shall be free from visible cracks, stain, decay, insect damage and other defects. The wood
shall not have been water-stored, floated, chemically treated or steamed. The wood shall originate from
trees preferably felled in winter. The trees shall be cut immediately after felling and the timber rapidly
air-dried or kiln dried at temperatures below 60 °C.
)
The wood shall be exclusively sapwood and having between two and ten annual rings per 10 mm.
It is recommended to use test specimens of similar growth rate within a single test.
7.3 Provision of test specimens
)
Prepare planed strips having a cross-section of (25 ± 0,5) mm × (15 ± 0,5) mm removing a minimum
of 2 mm from any surfaces exposed during drying. The longitudinal faces shall be parallel to the
direction of the grain. The annual rings shall be parallel to the broad faces (contact angle of less than
5°). Make transverse cuts, neatly to give sharp edges and a fine-sawn finish to the end-grain surfaces, to
give test specimens (50 ± 0,5) mm long.
The test specimens shall originate from a minimum of three trees or shall be taken at random from a
stock originally of more than 500 test specimens.
7.4 Dimensions of test specimens
The dimensions of each test specimen after reaching equilibrium in the conditioning chamber (5.3.2)
shall be (50 ± 0,5) mm × (25 ± 0,5) mm × (15 ± 0,5) mm.
For the purposes of calculating the mass of preservative retained per unit volume of wood (8.1.2.2) the
nominal volume of each test specimen shall be taken as 18,75 cm .
Mark each test specimen so that it can be identified throughout the test.

2)
The growth of young larvae of Anobium punctatum is slow in test specimens from resinous wood. Results from test
specimens in resinous wood should be compared with those obtained from oak test specimens.
3)
It is not essential in this test for the starch content to be high.
4)
These test specimens may be taken from the trunk of the tree or the large branches.
oSIST prEN 49-2:2025
prEN 49-2:2025 (E)
7.5 Number of test specimens
Use:
a) five test specimens (no more than two originating from the same tree unless taken at random from
a stock of more than 500) for each preservative and each concentration;
b) five untreated control test specimens (no more than two originating from the same tree unless
taken at random from a stock of more than 500) for a complete test of any given preservative;
c) five control test specimens (no more than two originating from the same tree unless taken at
...