FprEN 13408

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a test method for the determination of bond strength between an underlayment produced with cementitious or calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds and a standard substrate.; This document applies to cementitious, and calcium sulphate-based floor levelling compounds used for the preparation of subfloors to ensure the suitability of the substrate prior to the installation of floor coverings. By using the floor levelling compound, a homogeneous layer is built up on the load-bearing substrate, to ensure consistent absorbency, evenness and strength.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 17-Feb-2027
• ICS: 91.100.99 - Other construction materials
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 193 - Adhesives
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 193/WG 4 - Building adhesives
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Start Date: 26-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 16-Feb-2026
• Completion Date: 26-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 13408:2026 - Adhesives - Test method for cementitious and calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds - Determination of bond strength

• Revises: EN 13408:2002 - Methods of test for hydraulic setting floor smoothing and/or levelling compounds - Determination of bond strength
• Effective Date: 08-May-2024

Overview

FprEN 13408 is a draft European standard developed by CEN (European Committee for Standardization) that specifies a test method for determining the bond strength of cementitious and calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds on standard substrates. The standard is essential for quality assurance in the construction industry, focusing on the proper preparation and performance of subfloors before installing various floor coverings. By ensuring reliable bond strength, this method helps to guarantee uniformity, durability, and safety in flooring systems.

Key Topics

• Bond Strength Testing:

  • The standard outlines a procedure to assess the tensile bond strength between a set layer of floor levelling compound and a concrete substrate.
  • Testing involves applying the levelling compound, bonding rigid metal plates, and conducting a controlled pull-off test using a tensile testing machine.

• Applicable Materials:

  • Targets both cementitious and calciumsulfate-based levelling compounds.
  • Ensures compatibility and performance on a range of substrates typically found in construction projects.

• Standardized Conditions:

  • Testing is carried out at controlled temperature and humidity in accordance with ISO 554, ensuring repeatability and comparability of results.

• Result Evaluation:

  • The bond strength is calculated as the breaking load divided by the bonded area, with detailed instructions for averaging and data reporting to ensure significance and reliability.

Applications

FprEN 13408 is highly relevant for:

• Manufacturers of Floor Levelling Compounds:

  • Enables consistent quality control and benchmarking for product development.
  • Assists in meeting regulatory or contractual requirements for floor substructures.

• Flooring Contractors and Installers:

  • Provides assurance that selected floor levelling compounds meet required bond strength standards.
  • Supports the selection of appropriate materials for robust, long-lasting floor systems.

• Testing Laboratories:

  • Serves as a reference procedure for conducting impartial third-party assessments.
  • Facilitates compliance documentation and certification processes.

• Project Specifiers and Architects:

  • Assists in writing technically sound specifications for subfloor preparation.
  • Enhances the reliability and durability of finished floor installations.

By applying this test method, stakeholders can ensure that subfloors prepared with cementitious and calciumsulfate-based products possess the necessary bond strength to receive various floor coverings, minimizing risks of delamination or failure under load.

Related Standards

• EN 12004-2: Adhesives for Ceramic Tiles - Part 2: Test methods

  • Provides complementary testing procedures for adhesives used with ceramic tiles.

• prEN 1937:2026: Standard Mixing Procedures

  • Specifies standardized mixing methods for floor levelling compounds, integral to test sample preparation.

• EN ISO 10365: Adhesives - Designation of Main Failure Patterns

  • Defines terminology and classification for identifying failure modes in bond strength testing.

• ISO 554: Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and/or Testing

  • Describes the environmental conditions under which testing should be carried out for reliable, reproducible results.

Summary

FprEN 13408 is a critical standard for establishing the bond strength of cementitious and calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds. It supports manufacturers, contractors, laboratories, and specifiers in demonstrating and achieving essential quality benchmarks for flooring systems. Compliance with this standard facilitates safer, more durable, and higher-performing floor installations, contributing to overall construction quality and client satisfaction.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2026
Lepila - Preskusna metoda za cementne in kalcijsulfatne izravnalne mase za tla -
Ugotavljanje trdnosti vezave
Adhesives - Test method for cementitious and calciumsulfate-based floor levelling
compounds - Determination of bond strength
Klebstoffe - Prüfverfahren für zement- und calciumsulfatbasierte Bodenspachtelmassen -
Bestimmung der Haftzugfestigkeit
Adhésifs - Méthode d’essai pour les mortiers de nivellement à base de ciment et de
sulfate de calcium - Détermination de la force de liaison
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13408
ICS:
91.100.99 Drugi gradbeni materiali Other construction materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13408
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2026
ICS 91.100.99 Will supersede EN 13408:2002
English Version
Adhesives - Test method for cementitious and
calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds -
Determination of bond strength
Adhésifs - Méthode d'essai pour les mortiers de Klebstoffe - Prüfverfahren für zement- und
nivellement à base de ciment et de sulfate de calcium - calciumsulfatbasierte Bodenspachtelmassen -
Détermination de la force de liaison Bestimmung der Haftzugfestigkeit
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 193.
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 NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13408:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 13408:2026 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Principle . 5
5 Standard test conditions . 5
6 Apparatus and material . 6
7 Procedure . 6
7.1 Preconditioning . 6
7.2 Test procedure . 6
8 Evaluation and expression of results . 7
9 Test report . 7
prEN 13408:2026 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13408:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 193 “Adhesives”,
the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13408:2002.
prEN 13408:2026 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 13408:2002:
— term “hydraulic setting floor smoothing and/or levelling compounds” changed to “cementitious and
calciumsulfate-based floor levelling compounds”;
— concretisation of the scope;
— updated normative references;
— editorial changes.
prEN 13408:2026 (E)
Introduction
Persons using this document are to be familiar with normal laboratory practice.
This document does not purport to address all the safety problems, if any, associated
...