EN 1927-2:2008

Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines

This European Standard specifies the qualitative classification for the roundwood of pines. It applies to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Corsican or Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata). The classification is made either using Clauses 4 and 5 or using Annex A. Clauses 4 and 5 describe the qualitative classification of round timber for which the intended use is unknown.
Informative Annex A gives a list of characteristics which serves as a guideline for contracts describing qualities for round timber of pines where the intended use is known.

Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 2: Kiefern

Diese Norm legt die Qualitäts-Sortierung für Rundholz von Kiefern fest. Sie gilt für die Gemeine Kiefer (Pinus
sylvestris), Schwarzkiefer (Pinus nigra), Seekiefer (Pinus pinaster) und Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata). Die Sortierung
wird entweder nach den Abschnitten 4 und 5 oder nach Anhang A vorgenommen. Die Abschnitte 4
und 5 beschreiben die verwendungsneutrale Qualitäts-Sortierung (Qualitäts-Sortierung von Holz, dessen
Verwendung noch nicht bekannt ist).
Der informative Anhang A gibt eine Liste von Merkmalen für die Qualitäts-Sortierung von Holz, dessen beabsichtigte
Verwendung bekannt ist, an, die als Leitfaden für Verträge angesehen werden kann.

Classement qualitatif des bois ronds résineux - Partie 2 : Pins

La présente Norme européenne spécifie le classement qualitatif des bois ronds de pins. Elle s’applique au Pin
sylvestre (Pinus sylvestris), au pin noir (Pinus nigra), au pin maritime (Pinus pinaster) et au pin radiata (Pinus
radiata). Le classement est réalisé soit en utilisant les articles 4 et 5 soit en utilisant l’Annexe A. Les articles 4
et 5 décrivent le classement qualitatif des bois ronds dont la destination n’est pas connue.
L’Annexe informative A donne une liste des caractéristiques qui sert de guide à des contrats fixant les qualités
des bois ronds de pins, dont la destination est connue.

Razvrščanje okroglega lesa iglavcev po kakovosti - 2. del: Bori

Ta evropski standard opredeljuje razvrščanje okroglega lesa borov po kakovosti. Uporablja se za rdeči bor (Pinus sylvestris), črni bor (Pinus nigra), obmorski bor (Pinus pinaster) in bor Pinus radiata (Pinus radiata). Razvrstitev se opravi bodisi z uporabo Klavzule 4 in 5, ali z uporabo Dodatka A. Klavzuli 4 in 5 opisujeta razvrščanje okroglega lesa, katerega predvidena uporaba ni znana, po kakovosti. Informativni Dodatek A podaja spisek značilnosti, ki služijo kot smernice za pogodbe, ki opisujejo kakovost okroglega lesa borov, kadar je predvidena uporaba znana.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Mar-2008
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Sep-2008
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 175 - Round and sawn timber
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 175/WG 4 - Round timber
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 11-Jun-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 1927-2:2008 - Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines

Relations

• Replaces: ENV 1927-2:1998 - Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Corrected By: EN 1927-2:2008/AC:2009 - Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines
• Effective Date: 11-Feb-2009

Overview

EN 1927-2:2008 is a European Standard developed by CEN that provides a comprehensive framework for the qualitative classification of softwood round timber, specifically focusing on pine species. This standard applies to several important pine varieties including Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Corsican or Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), and radiata pine (Pinus radiata). It serves as a critical guideline for stakeholders involved in the timber industry, such as producers, suppliers, traders, and buyers, enabling clear quality grading regardless of the timber's intended end-use.

The classification can be applied through two distinct approaches:

• Using Clauses 4 and 5 for round timber where the intended use is unknown.
• Applying Annex A, which outlines quality characteristics for situations where the intended use is known.

EN 1927-2:2008 replaces earlier versions and aligns with broader standards on timber terminology, measurement, and quality assessment.

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Key Topics

Quality Classes for Pine Round Timber

The standard defines four primary quality classes based on qualitative characteristics:

• Class A: Highest quality timber, generally butt logs with clear timber and minimal defects, suited for uses requiring premium wood.
• Class B: Average to good quality timber allowing a moderate presence of sound knots and minor imperfections.
• Class C: Lower quality timber permitting more defects that do not significantly impair the natural wood features.
• Class D: Timber still usable but with many defects, falling outside the previous quality classes.

Grading Criteria

Timber grading under EN 1927-2:2008 involves detailed assessment of several specific characteristics, including but not limited to:

• Knots (intergrown, dead, unsound)
• Resin pockets
• Rate of growth
• Growth irregularities (spiral grain, eccentric pith)
• Reaction wood
• Sweep and taper
• Shakes (heart and ring shakes)
• Insect attack
• Rot and stain

Each characteristic has defined thresholds depending on the quality class, supported by measurement methods referenced from related standards such as EN 1309-2, EN 1310, and EN 1311.

Additional Assessment Guidelines

• Hidden or internal flaws revealed during inspection must be evaluated against the quality criteria.
• Some defects such as insect attack, rot, and staining are non-compensable, emphasizing their critical impact on timber value.
• Logs can be graded in multiple classes using crosscut points with minimum cut lengths defined by species.

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Applications

EN 1927-2:2008 is essential for:

• Timber trading and procurement: Provides a standardized language and criteria for quality negotiation and contracts involving pine round timber.
• Forest management and harvesting: Facilitates sorting and categorizing logs at the point of extraction or processing.
• Sawmill operations: Assists in evaluating logs prior to sawing to optimize yield based on wood quality.
• Construction and manufacturing: Ensures supply of pine timber is appropriate for structural, furniture, and other industrial applications.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Aligns national timber standards with Europe-wide norms, ensuring product traceability and consistency.

The standard supports sustainable forestry and efficient resource utilization by promoting uniform grading and classification.

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Related Standards

To ensure consistent application, EN 1927-2:2008 references and complements several key standards:

• EN 844 series: Terminology related to round and sawn timber, crucial for precise communication and definitions.
• EN 1309-2: Measurement methods for round timber dimensions and volume calculations.
• EN 1310: Procedures for measuring timber features such as defects and irregularities.
• EN 1311: Methods for assessing biological degradation of timber.
• ISO 2036: Species marking symbols, supporting timber identification in trade.

Together, these linked standards form an integrated system for the classification, measurement, and trading of softwood timber in Europe.

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By adopting EN 1927-2:2008, timber industry stakeholders benefit from a harmonized, transparent, and practical classification system tailored specifically to pine round timber, helping improve quality control, market fairness, and operational efficiency.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2008
1DGRPHãþD
SIST ENV 1927-2:2003
5D]YUãþDQMHRNURJOHJDOHVDLJODYFHYSRNDNRYRVWLGHO%RUL
Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines
Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 2: Kiefern
Classement qualitatif des bois ronds résineux - Partie 2 : Pins
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1927-2:2008
ICS:
79.040 Les, hlodovina in žagan les Wood, sawlogs and sawn
timber
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 1927-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2008
ICS 79.040 Supersedes ENV 1927-2:1998
English Version
Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 2: Pines
Classement qualitatif des bois ronds résineux - Partie 2 : Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 2: Kiefern
Pins
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 23 February 2008.
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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists 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 Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1927-2:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions .4
4 Qualitative classification for which the intended use is unknown.5
5 Rules for grading .6
6 Additional criteria .7
Annex A (informative) Qualitative classification for which the intended use is known.8
Annex B (informative) A–deviations.9

Foreword
This document (EN 1927-2:2008) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 175 “Round and sawn
timber”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2008, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by September 2008.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document will supersede ENV 1927-2:1998.
EN 1927 consists of the following parts with the main title Qualitative classification of softwood round timber:
 EN 1927-1, Spruces and firs
 EN 1927-2, Pines
 EN 1927-3, Larches and Douglas fir
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the qualitative classification for the roundwood of pines. It applies to Scots
pine (Pinus sylvestris), Corsican or Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and radiata pine
(Pinus radiata). The classification is made either using Clauses 4 and 5 or using Annex A. Clauses 4 and 5
describe the qualitative classification of round timber for which the intended use is unknown.
Informative Annex A gives a list of characteristics which serves as a guideline for contracts describing
qualities for round timber of pines where the intended use is known.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 844-1:1995, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 1: General terms common to round timber
and sawn timber
EN 844-2:1997, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 2: General terms relating to round timber
EN 844-5:1997, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 5: Terms relating to dimensions of round
timber
EN 844-7:1997, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 7: Terms relating to anatomical structure of
timber
EN 844-8:1997, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 8: Terms relating to features of round timber
EN 844-9:1997, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 9: Terms relating to features of sawn timber
EN 844-10:1998, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 10: Terms relating to stain and fungal attack
EN 844-12:2000, Round and sawn timber— Terminology — Part 12: Additional terms and general index
EN 1309-2, Round and sawn timber — Method of measurement of dimensions — Part 2: Round timber –
Requireme
...