EN 438-6:2016

• Abstract:

  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.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Feb-2016
• ICS: 83.140.20 - Laminated sheets
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 249/WG 4 - Decorative laminated sheets based on thermosetting resins
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 03-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Directive: Harmonized Standard305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Directive:

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  Not Harmonized89/106/EEC - Construction products
• Mandate: M/121 - Mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardization work for harmonized standards on internal and external wall and ceiling finishes
• Ref Project: SIST EN 438-6:2016 - High-pressure decorative (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 6: Classification and specifications for exterior-grade compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater

• Replaces: EN 438-6:2005 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 6: Classification and specifications for Exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater
• Effective Date: 24-Feb-2016
• Refers: EN ISO 178:2019 - Plastics - Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178:2019)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 438-2:2016 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 2: Determination of properties
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 1183-1:2025 - Plastics - Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics - Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1:2025)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO/CIE 11664-2:2022 - Colorimetry - Part 2: CIE standard illuminants (ISO/CIE 11664-2:2022)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 13722:2004 - Furniture - Assessment of the surface gloss
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 13501-1:2018 - Fire classification of construction products and building elements - Part 1: Classification using data from reaction to fire tests
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 438-1:2016 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 1: Introduction and general information
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 13329:2016 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 15468:2016 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with directly applied printing and resin surface layer - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 13329:2016+A2:2021 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 13329:2016+A1:2017 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 438-1:2005 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 1: Introduction and general information
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 15468:2016+A1:2021 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with directly applied printing and resin surface layer - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 13329:2006+A1:2008 - Laminate floor coverings - Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 438-6:2016 specifies classification and performance requirements for Exterior-grade Compact high‑pressure laminates (HPL) of nominal thickness 2 mm and greater. It applies to standard and flame‑retardant compact laminates manufactured by a high‑pressure process and intended for outdoor exposure (sunlight, rain, frost). The standard defines two performance levels - moderate and severe exterior conditions - and sets inspection, dimensional, mechanical and weathering criteria for sheets that can be self‑supporting and ready for installation.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Classification: Three‑letter system: first letter E (exterior), second G (moderate) or D (severe), third S (standard) or F (flame‑retardant) - e.g., EDF = exterior, severe, flame‑retardant.
• Test methods referenced: EN 438-2 (determination of properties), EN 13722 (gloss), EN ISO 178 (flexural tests), EN ISO 1183-1 (density), EN ISO 11664-2 (illuminants), EN 13501-1 (fire classification).
• Visual & surface inspection: Colour and pattern assessed under daylight (D65) and illuminant A; gloss tolerances specified in gloss units (GU):

  • 70 GU: ±15 GU

  • 30–70 GU: ±10 GU
  • 10–30 GU: ±5 GU
  • <10 GU: ±3 GU
• Dimensional tolerances: Thickness tolerances depend on nominal thickness (t); tolerances increase with thicker sheets (for the thinnest range the tolerance is about ±0.20 mm, rising for larger t). Flatness, edge straightness and squareness tolerances are defined; edge chipping up to 3 mm is permissible.
• Mechanical and physical properties: Minimum performance thresholds include flexural modulus (9 000 MPa), flexural strength (80 MPa), and minimum density (~1.35 g/cm3). Impact (large‑diameter ball) and resistance to wet conditions (mass increase limits and surface/edge ratings) are specified.
• Weathering & UV resistance: Separate requirements for moderate (G) and severe (D) grades. Climatic shock, UV and artificial weathering tests set minimum appearance/grey‑scale and retention indices (severe grades require higher exposure and better retention).

Applications and users

• Typical applications: external cladding, façades, balconies, kiosks, signage, shelters, exterior furniture and other outdoor architectural elements where high tensile strength, impact resistance, thermal‑shock resistance and weather durability are required.
• Primary users: architects, specifiers, façade engineers, HPL manufacturers, fabricators, building product certifiers and procurement teams who need to select, test or certify exterior HPL panels for construction projects.

Related standards

• EN 438 series (especially EN 438-2:2016 for test methods and other parts of EN 438)
• EN 13501-1 (fire classification)
• EN ISO 178, EN ISO 1183-1, EN ISO 11664-2, EN 13722

Keywords: EN 438-6:2016, Exterior-grade Compact laminates, HPL exterior, weather‑resistant laminates, flame‑retardant HPL, dimensional tolerances, weathering testing, EN 438-2.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.XSRUDERDekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 6: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Kompakt-Schichtpressstoffe für die Anwendung im Freien mit einer Dicke von 2 mm und größerStratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 6: Classification et spécifications des stratifiés compacts pour usage en extérieur d'épaisseur égale ou supérieure à 2 mmHigh-pressure decorative (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 6: Classification and specifications for exterior-grade compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater83.140.20Laminated sheetsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 438-6:2016SIST EN 438-6:2016en,fr,de01-april-2016SIST EN 438-6:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 438-6:20051DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 438-6
February
t r s x ICS
z uä s v rä t r Supersedes EN
v u zæ xã t r r wEnglish Version
Classification and specifications for Exteriorægrade compact laminates of thickness
t mm and greater spßcifications des stratifißs compacts pour usage en extßrieur d 5ßpaisseur ßgale ou supßrieure à
t mm æ Teil
xã Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für KompaktæSchichtpressstoffe für die Anwendung im Freien mit einer Dicke von
t mm und größer This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s u December
t r s wä
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 andUnited 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
v u zæ xã t r s x ESIST EN 438-6:2016

Page European foreword . 3 1 Scope . 4 2 Normative references . 4 3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 4 3.1 Terms and definitions . 4 3.2 Symbols . 5 4 Material types and classification system . 5 5 Requirements . 5 5.1 Compliance . 5 5.2 Inspection requirements . 5 5.2.1 General . 5 5.2.2 Colour and pattern . 6 5.2.3 Surface finish . 6 5.2.4 Visual inspection . 6 5.3 Dimensional tolerance requirements . 7 5.4 Test requirements . 7 5.4.1 Physical property requirements . 7 5.4.2 Weather resistance requirements . 8 5.4.3 Notes on requirements for reaction to fire. 9 Annex A (informative)
Addendum to sub-clause 5.4.3, relating to fire performance . 10 Bibliography. 11
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