EN 1927-1:2008

Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 1: Spruces and firs

This European Standard specifies the qualitative classification for the roundwood of spruces (Picea spp) and firs (Abies spp). 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 spruces and firs where the intended use is known.

Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 1: Fichten und Tannen

Diese Norm legt die Qualitäts-Sortierung für Rundholz von Fichten (Picea spp.) und Tannen (Abies spp.) fest.
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 1 : Epicéas et sapins

La présente Norme européenne spécifie le classement qualitatif des bois ronds d’épicéa (Picea spp) et des
sapins (Abies spp). 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 d’épicéas et de sapins, dont la destination est connue.

Razvrščanje okroglega lesa iglavcev po kakovosti - 1. del: Smreke in jelke

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: 11-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 1927-1:2008 - Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 1: Spruces and firs

Relations

• Replaces: ENV 1927-1:1998 - Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 1: Spruces and firs
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Refers: EN 844-9:1997 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 9: Terms relating to features of sawn timber
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 844-10:1998 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 10: Terms relating to stain and fungal attack
• 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: EN 844-8:1997 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 8: Terms relating to features of round timber
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 14225-4:2005 - Diving suits - Part 4: One atmosphere suits (ADS) - Human factors requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 1309-3:2018 - Round and sawn timber - Methods of measurements - Part 3: Features and biological degradations
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 844-7:1997 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 7: Terms relating to anatomical structure of timber
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 844-1:1995 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 1: General terms common to round timber and sawn timber
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 844-2:1997 - Round and sawn timber - Terminology - Part 2: General terms relating to round timber
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 1927-1:2008 is a European Standard developed by CEN for the qualitative classification of softwood round timber, specifically focused on spruces (Picea spp) and firs (Abies spp). This standard outlines methods for grading roundwood by quality, assisting stakeholders in the timber trade, forestry, and wood processing industries to ensure consistency and clarity when assessing and managing logs. Classification can be performed following detailed guidelines for situations where the intended use of the timber is either unknown or specified.

Key Topics

• Scope of Classification: The standard covers only spruces and firs, providing a common framework for their qualitative evaluation throughout Europe.
• Quality Classes: When the intended use is unknown, timber is graded into four classes - A, B, C, and D - reflecting a spectrum from first quality to utility grade. Each class considers a variety of characteristics such as knots, resin pockets, rate of growth, reaction wood, and defects like rot or insect attack.
• Specification Methods:
  • Clauses 4 and 5 offer a universal scheme for grading when the final application of the timber is not determined.
  • Annex A gives a checklist of quality characteristics serving as a contractual guideline where the end use is known, allowing for bespoke agreements between sellers and buyers.
• Reference Measurements: The standard draws upon other EN standards (such as EN 1309-2, EN 1310, EN 1311) for definitions, measurement of dimensions, and evaluation of features and biological degradation.

Applications

EN 1927-1:2008 plays a pivotal role in the timber supply chain, providing benefits to:

• Forestry management: Facilitating standardized grading to maximize value and minimize disputes.
• Timber trade and procurement: Assisting buyers and sellers to communicate clearly about roundwood quality, regardless of the country of origin within Europe.
• Contractual agreements: Guiding the creation of contracts for round timber supply by specifying relevant quality characteristics, beyond the default grading schema, through the use of Annex A.
• Wood processing industries: Streamlining production planning for sawmills and manufacturers by supplying logs that meet precise quality requirements.
• Quality control and certification: Supporting certification processes and due diligence for forest products intended for resale or export, by referencing harmonized European standards.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality assessment, EN 1927-1:2008 is used in conjunction with several key standards in the timber field:

• EN 844 series (Parts 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12): Terminology and definitions for round and sawn timber, covering anatomical structure to features and defects.
• EN 1309-2: Measurement and volume calculation rules for round timber.
• EN 1310 & EN 1311: Methods for measuring features and biological degradation of timber.
• ISO 2036: Symbols for marking timber species, facilitating international trade.
• Relevant national standards: Some countries may have national deviations documented in Annex B, which supersede certain provisions of EN 1927-1 within their jurisdictions.

EN 1927-1:2008 ensures high-quality, consistent classification and communication for softwood round timber-especially spruces and firs-across Europe's forestry and wood industries, improving efficiency, transparency, and international market access.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2008
1DGRPHãþD
SIST ENV 1927-1:2003
5D]YUãþDQMHRNURJOHJDOHVDLJODYFHYSRNDNRYRVWLGHO6PUHNHLQMHONH
Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 1: Spruces and firs
Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 1: Fichten und Tannen
Classement qualitatif des bois ronds résineux - Partie 1 : Epicéas et sapins
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1927-1:2008
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 1927-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2008
ICS 79.040 Supersedes ENV 1927-1:1998
English Version
Qualitative classification of softwood round timber - Part 1:
Spruces and firs
Classement qualitatif des bois ronds résineux - Partie 1 : Qualitäts-Sortierung von Nadel-Rundholz - Teil 1: Fichten
Epicéas et sapins und Tannen
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 1927-1:2008: 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 1927-1:2008) 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 1927-1:1998.
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 spruces (Picea spp) and firs
(Abies spp). 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 spruces and firs 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 -
Requirem
...