General Information

Abstract

This European Standard defines a method of assessment of drying quality. It applies to a lot of dried sawn timber (surfaced or not). It applies to both softwood and hardwood with a thickness not greater than 100 mm.
The quality of drying is expressed in terms of moisture content: target, average of the lot and variation between the pieces of the lot.
An option for specifying the degree of case-hardening is included.
NOTE 1   Other features related to drying, e.g. check, shake, warp, stain, etc., are specified in documents for visual grading of sawn timber or in product specifications and are not covered by this document.
NOTE 2   In the following the term "sawn timber" is used for all dried timber covered by this scope.

Status
Published
Publication Date
24-Oct-2017
Withdrawal Date
29-Apr-2018
ICS
79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 175 - Round and sawn timber
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 175/WG 2 - Sawn timber
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
28-Jun-2023
Completion Date
09-Sep-2026
Ref Project
SIST EN 14298:2018 - Sawn timber - Assessment of drying quality

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Overview

EN 14298:2017 is a European standard developed by CEN that establishes a method for assessing the drying quality of sawn timber. This standard applies to lots of dried sawn timber, whether surfaced or not, covering both softwood and hardwood with a thickness up to 100 mm. The key metric for quality assessment is the moisture content-including the target moisture content, the average moisture content of the lot, and the variation between individual timber pieces. Additionally, the standard offers an option to specify and assess case-hardening, a drying defect.

Key Topics

  • Scope and Applicability
    EN 14298:2017 is relevant for manufacturers, inspectors, and users handling dried sawn timber, ensuring compliance in moisture content parameters critical for timber performance and durability.
  • Moisture Content Evaluation
    The drying quality is primarily based on moisture content measurement, using either the electrical resistance method (EN 13183-2) or the oven-dry reference method (EN 13183-1) for disputes.
  • Sampling Procedures
    Sampling complies with CEN/TS 12169 guidelines, specifying inspection levels, sample size, and acceptable quality levels (AQL). Sampling avoids timber from outer packaging layers to represent the lot accurately.
  • Drying Quality Criteria
    Two primary criteria determine compliance:
    • Individual piece moisture content must lie within specified upper and lower limits relative to the target moisture content
    • The average moisture content of the control sample must fall within an allowable range around the target value
  • Case-hardening Assessment
    If specified, case-hardening is evaluated according to CEN/TS 14464, with a conformity threshold based on the percentage of timber pieces below an acceptable limit.
  • Test Reporting
    Results are documented in a detailed test report including lot description, sample size, and conformity assessment results.

Applications

EN 14298:2017 serves multiple practical uses in the timber industry:

  • Quality Control in Timber Production
    Manufacturers use the standard to verify drying processes meet moisture content specifications, reducing risks related to timber shrinkage, warping, or fungal attack.
  • Timber Import and Export Compliance
    Importers and exporters rely on the standard to certify sawn timber quality, facilitating trade within Europe and internationally by complying with recognized drying quality metrics.
  • Construction and Woodworking
    Builders and wood product manufacturers utilize dried timber assessed per EN 14298 to ensure dimensional stability and structural integrity in finished products.
  • Research and Development
    Material scientists and engineers reference this standard to benchmark drying process improvements or study drying defects like case-hardening.

Related Standards

  • EN 13183-1 & EN 13183-2 – Methods for determining moisture content in sawn timber (oven dry and electrical resistance methods).
  • CEN/TS 12169 – Criteria and procedures for assessing conformity of a lot of sawn timber including sampling plans.
  • CEN/TS 14464 – Method for assessment of case-hardening in sawn timber.
  • EN 844 series – Terminology standards related to sawn timber and moisture content.
  • EN 1438 – Symbols for timber and wood-based products.

Adherence to EN 14298:2017 helps ensure consistent and reliable drying quality assessment of sawn timber, which is essential for the timber industry to maintain product quality, optimize drying processes, and meet European market requirements.

Relations

Replaces
EN 14298:2004 - Sawn timber - Assessment of drying quality
Effective Date
08-Jun-2022
Refers
EN 13183-2:2002 - Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber - Part 2: Estimation by electrical resistance method
Effective Date
22-Jul-2026
Refers
EN 1438:1998 - Symbols for timber and wood-based products
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 13183-1:2002 - Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber - Part 1: Determination by oven dry method
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
CEN/TS 14464:2010 - Sawn timber - Method for assessment of case-hardening
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 844-12:2000 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 12: Additional terms and general index
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
CEN/TS 12169:2008 - Criteria for the assessment of conformity of a lot of sawn timber
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 844-4:1997 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 4: Terms relating to moisture content
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 844-3:1995 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 3: General terms relating to sawn timber
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 13629:2012 - Wood flooring - Solid individual and pre-assembled hardwood boards
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 14221:2006 - Timber and wood-based materials in internal windows, internal door leaves and internal doorframes - Requirements and specifications
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
CEN/TS 13307-2:2009 - Laminated and finger jointed timber blanks and semi-finished profiles for non-structural uses - Part 2: Production control
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 927-7:2020 - Paints and varnishes - Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood - Part 7: Assessment of knot staining resistance of wood coatings
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
CEN/TS 16359:2012 - Paints and varnishes - Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood - Assessment of knot staining resistance of wood coatings
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 14220:2006 - Timber and wood-based materials in external windows, external door leaves and external doorframes - Requirements and specifications
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

EN 14298:2017 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Sawn timber - Assessment of drying quality". This standard covers: This European Standard defines a method of assessment of drying quality. It applies to a lot of dried sawn timber (surfaced or not). It applies to both softwood and hardwood with a thickness not greater than 100 mm. The quality of drying is expressed in terms of moisture content: target, average of the lot and variation between the pieces of the lot. An option for specifying the degree of case-hardening is included. NOTE 1 Other features related to drying, e.g. check, shake, warp, stain, etc., are specified in documents for visual grading of sawn timber or in product specifications and are not covered by this document. NOTE 2 In the following the term "sawn timber" is used for all dried timber covered by this scope.

This European Standard defines a method of assessment of drying quality. It applies to a lot of dried sawn timber (surfaced or not). It applies to both softwood and hardwood with a thickness not greater than 100 mm. The quality of drying is expressed in terms of moisture content: target, average of the lot and variation between the pieces of the lot. An option for specifying the degree of case-hardening is included. NOTE 1 Other features related to drying, e.g. check, shake, warp, stain, etc., are specified in documents for visual grading of sawn timber or in product specifications and are not covered by this document. NOTE 2 In the following the term "sawn timber" is used for all dried timber covered by this scope.

EN 14298:2017 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 14298:2017 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 14298:2004, EN 13183-2:2002, EN 1438:1998, EN 13183-1:2002, CEN/TS 14464:2010, EN 844-12:2000, CEN/TS 12169:2008, EN 844-4:1997, EN 844-3:1995, EN 13629:2012, EN 14221:2006, CEN/TS 13307-2:2009, EN 927-7:2020, CEN/TS 16359:2012, EN 14220:2006. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN 14298:2017 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.Žagani les - Ocenjevanje kakovosti sušenjaSchnittholz - Ermittlung der TrocknungsqualitätBois scié - Estimation de la qualité du séchageSawn timber - Assessment of drying quality79.040Les, hlodovina in žagan lesWood, sawlogs and sawn timberICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14298:2017SIST EN 14298:2018en,fr,de01-januar-2018SIST EN 14298:2018SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 14298:20051DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 14298
October
t r s y ICS
y {ä r v r Supersedes EN
s v t { zã t r r vEnglish Version
Sawn timber æ Assessment of drying quality Bois scié æ Estimation de la qualité du séchage
Schnittholz æ Ermittlung der Trocknungsqualität This European Standard was approved by CEN on
v September
t r s yä
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 Serbiaá 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 y CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s v t { zã t r s y ESIST EN 14298:2018

Example for an assessment of standard drying quality 12 % . 9 A.1 General . 9 A.2 Sampling . 9 A.3 Measurements . 9 A.4 Assessment of drying quality . 9 A.5 Conclusion. 10 SIST EN 14298:2018
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