FprEN 49-2

• 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: 01-Dec-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: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 24-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 03-Feb-2027
• Completion Date: 24-Sep-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

FprEN 49-2 is a draft European Standard from CEN for determining the protective effectiveness or toxic values of wood preservatives against Anobium punctatum (De Geer) by egg-laying and larval survival. It specifies a laboratory method for wood that has been treated previously by full impregnation, and it is aimed at testing laboratories, preservative suppliers, and others assessing products intended for impregnation treatment.

What does FprEN 49-2 specify?

FprEN 49-2 specifies a laboratory test method for wood preservatives applied by full impregnation. The method measures how well a treated wood specimen limits egg laying, egg hatch, and larval survival of Anobium punctatum.

The document applies to water-insoluble chemicals, organic formulations, organic water-dispersible formulations, and water-soluble materials such as salts. It applies whether or not the test specimens have been subjected to ageing procedures.

The document is organized into clauses for scope, normative reference, terms and definitions, principle, test materials, sampling, test specimens, procedure, validity of test, expression of results, and test report. It also includes four informative annexes.

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

What are the key requirements of FprEN 49-2?

FprEN 49-2 sets out a controlled impregnation test, then exposes treated specimens to adult insects and compares the results with untreated and solvent or diluent controls. In practice, this means the test is designed to show whether a preservative stops infestation from developing after eggs are laid.

Specimens, wood and sampling

Clause 6 requires the preservative sample to be representative of the product being tested, and it says to follow supplier storage and handling recommendations. For bulk supplies, sampling should use EN 212.

Clause 7 specifies European oak as the reference wood species, either sessile oak or pedunculate oak. The wood must be sound, untreated, sapwood only, and prepared as standard-size specimens with controlled grain orientation and ring spacing. This matters because wood quality and structure strongly affect insect development and preservative uptake.

The test uses five specimens per preservative and concentration, five untreated controls, and five solvent or diluent controls when relevant. The specimen count is small but fixed, so a lab can compare treatment groups in a repeatable way.

Treatment and impregnation

Clause 8 requires at least two weeks of conditioning before treatment. Treatment solutions must be freshly prepared, and the method distinguishes between solid preservatives, liquid preservatives, and toxic-value studies.

For toxic values, FprEN 49-2 requires at least five concentrations spanning the expected toxic range. The impregnation step uses vacuum treatment at 700 Pa for 15 minutes, followed by complete submersion and at least 2 hours in the treatment vessel. This is the core of the method: the preservative must penetrate the specimen fully so the result reflects impregnation performance.

After treatment, the specimen is weighed again and retention is calculated per unit volume of wood. That retained loading is what the report uses to compare product strength at different concentrations.

Drying, conditioning and ageing

After impregnation, the specimens are dried and conditioned in a controlled chamber. The procedure includes specific handling during the first, second and third weeks, with complete drying by the end of the fourth week for products that dry normally.

If the product is slow drying, the conditioning period may be extended and the extension must be reported. If an ageing procedure is used, it is carried out after drying according to EN 73 or EN 84. This matters because ageing can change how a treated specimen behaves in the biological test.

Exposure to insects and examination

Clause 8 requires the transverse faces to be sealed with paraffin wax and the large faces to receive egg-laying zones made from fine cloth. Each test container receives five female insects and at least five male insects, and the test runs in a controlled chamber.

The eggs, hatched eggs, and larvae are counted during and at the end of the test. If needed, additional insects may be added to achieve enough egg laying on the controls. Specimens are then cut open and the larvae are counted and assessed.

Validity and results

Clause 9 accepts the test only if the control specimens yield more than 50 live larvae in total and live larvae are present in all control specimens. In practice, the controls have to show that the insects were active and the test conditions were suitable.

Clause 10 reports protective effectiveness as the number of eggs laid, eggs hatched, and live larvae recovered. When a concentration series is tested, toxic values are the two adjacent loadings that bracket the transition from all larvae dead to larvae present.

What terms does FprEN 49-2 define?

• Representative sample - a sample whose physical or chemical characteristics match the volumetric average of the whole batch being sampled.
• Supplier - the sponsor of the test, meaning the person or company providing the wood preservative sample.
• Protective effectiveness - the measure of how well the treated wood limits egg laying, egg hatch, and larval survival of Anobium punctatum.
• Toxic values - the preservative loadings that bracket the point where all larvae die at one concentration but larvae are still found at the next lower loading.
• Test specimen - a prepared piece of wood used in the laboratory exposure test.
• Control test specimen - an untreated or solvent or diluent-treated specimen used as the comparison baseline.
• Ageing procedure - a pre-test treatment applied after drying and before biological exposure, using EN 73 or EN 84 when selected.

Who uses FprEN 49-2?

FprEN 49-2 is used by laboratories that test wood preservatives, by manufacturers and suppliers of wood-protection chemicals, and by organizations that need comparative data on product performance. It is relevant to the wood preservatives and wood-protecting chemicals sector, especially where products are intended for deep penetration into timber.

It also supports quality control, product development, technical evaluation, and reporting for impregnation treatments. Buyers and technical assessors can use it to understand how a product was tested and what the reported retention and biological results mean in practice.

What changed in FprEN 49-2 from the previous edition?

FprEN 49-2 will supersede EN 49-2:2015. The foreword states these technical changes:

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

Which standards are used with FprEN 49-2?

• EN 73 - used for accelerated evaporative ageing of treated wood before biological testing.
• EN 84 - used for accelerated leaching of treated wood before biological testing.
• EN ISO 3696 - provides the water quality requirement, specifically grade 3 water for the method.
• EN 212 - gives general guidance on sampling and preparation for analysis of wood preservatives and treated timber, and is used for bulk sampling.
• EN 49-1 - the companion part for surface treatment by the same insect test; FprEN 49-2 is the impregnation part.

What does the FprEN 49-2 document contain?

The body of FprEN 49-2 contains the full laboratory procedure: specimen preparation, impregnation under vacuum, drying and conditioning, insect exposure, test validity, result expression, and reporting. It also includes the calculation approach for preservative retention per unit volume and for toxic values.

Annex A gives a worked example of the test report format, including a results table. Annex B provides a figure to help identify male and female Anobium punctatum. Annex C describes how to culture the insect for testing, including culture wood, beetle collection, quarantine, infestation, and hygiene. Annex D lists environmental, health, and safety precautions for chemical and biological laboratory work.

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
...