kSIST FprEN 688:2026

Resilient floor coverings - Specification for corklinoleum

This document specifies the characteristics of corklinoleum, supplied in roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document includes a classification system based on intensity of use, which shows where resilient floor coverings should give satisfactory service (see EN ISO 10874). It also includes requirements for marking.
The term 'linoleum' is frequently incorrectly applied to a range of floor coverings, often to those based on polyvinyl chloride or rubber. This document does not apply to such.

Elastische Bodenbeläge - Spezifikation für Korklinoleum

Dieses Dokument legt die Eigenschaften von Korklinoleum fest, das in Form von Rollen geliefert wird.
Um den Verbraucher bei seiner Auswahl zu unterstützen, enthält dieses Dokument ein Klassifizierungssystem (siehe EN 685) auf Basis der Nutzungsintensität, das zeigt, wo diese elastischen Bodenbeläge einen zufriedenstellenden Nutzen bieten sollten. Es legt auch Anforderungen zur Kennzeichnung fest.
Der Begriff "Linoleum" wird häufig fälschlicherweise auch für andere Bodenbeläge, oft für solche auf Basis von Polyvinylchlorid oder Elastomeren, verwendet. Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für diese Materialien.

Revêtements de sol résilients - Spécifications pour le linoléum sur liège

Le présent document spécifie les caractéristiques du linoléum sur liège, fourni sous forme de rouleaux.
Pour aider le consommateur à faire un choix éclairé, la présente norme inclut un système de classification basé sur l'intensité d'utilisation, qui indique l'endroit où il convient que ces revêtements de sol résilients rendent un service satisfaisant (voir l'EN 685). Elle comprend également des exigences relatives au marquage.
Le terme « linoléum » est fréquemment appliqué à tort à une gamme de revêtements de sol, souvent à base de polychlorure de vinyle ou de caoutchouc. Ce type de produit n’est pas inclus dans le présent document.

Netekstilne talne obloge - Specifikacija plutovinastih linolejev

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jul-2025
• ICS: 79.100 - Cork and cork products
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: ITEK - Textile and textile products
• Current Stage: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 10-Feb-2026
• Due Date: 31-Mar-2026
• Completion Date: 11-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: EN 688:2026 - Resilient floor coverings - Specification for corklinoleum

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 688:2011 - Resilient floor coverings - Specification for corklinoleum
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

kSIST FprEN 688:2026 - Resilient Floor Coverings: Specification for Corklinoleum is the authoritative European standard developed by CEN for the specification of corklinoleum floor coverings supplied in roll form. This standard defines the required characteristics, identification, and classification systems for corklinoleum products, ensuring that consumers and professionals can make informed choices when selecting resilient floor coverings for various environments. Importantly, kSIST FprEN 688:2026 does not apply to floor coverings based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber, as the term "linoleum" is often mistakenly used for these types.

Key Topics

• Product Characteristics
  kSIST FprEN 688:2026 specifies essential properties for corklinoleum, including dimensions, thickness, mass per unit area, density, residual indentation, flexibility, and colour fastness to artificial light. These requirements guarantee product reliability and performance for end users.

• Classification by Intensity of Use
  The standard incorporates a classification system, referencing EN ISO 10874, based on the intensity of use. Classes distinguish corklinoleum suitable for domestic (moderate and general use) and moderate commercial environments, helping specifiers select the right product for the anticipated level of foot traffic.

• Identification and Compliance
  Corklinoleum is distinct due to its specific composition (linoleum cement and granulated cork) and must be verified by chemical testing and density parameters. Accurate product identification prevents misapplication and ensures compliance.

• Mandatory Marking
  Clear marking is required on all corklinoleum flooring and packaging, including reference to kSIST FprEN 688:2026, manufacturer identity, product name, batch number, and classification symbols, supporting full traceability within the supply chain.

Applications

Corklinoleum specified according to kSIST FprEN 688:2026 is designed for durable, resilient flooring installations in a wide range of settings:

• Residential buildings
  Ideal for living rooms, corridors, bedrooms, and other areas subject to moderate to general domestic use, providing comfort underfoot and potential impact sound reduction.

• Commercial environments
  Appropriate for light to moderate commercial traffic spaces such as small offices, consultation rooms, or retail boutiques, where enhanced durability and hygiene are priorities.

• Sustainable and acoustic requirements
  Corklinoleum’s natural composition and potential for optional properties like sound reduction and resistance to stains or static make it suitable for projects with sustainability or acoustic demands.

By using kSIST FprEN 688:2026-compliant corklinoleum, architects, designers, contractors, and building owners can ensure flooring solutions that meet stringent quality, performance, and sustainability standards.

Related Standards

Several related standards are referenced and complement kSIST FprEN 688:2026 in specifying requirements and test methods for corklinoleum and other resilient floor coverings:

• EN ISO 10874: Classification of resilient, textile, and laminate floor coverings by use intensity
• EN ISO 23996 / EN ISO 23997: Determination of density, mass per unit area, and thickness
• EN ISO 24340 / 24341 / 24343-1 / 24344 / 24346: Methods for measuring various dimensional and physical properties of floor coverings
• EN ISO 26985: Identification of linoleum and assessment of cement content and ash residue
• EN ISO 105-B02: Tests for colour fastness to artificial light
• EN 1081, EN 1815: Determination of electrical resistance and assessment of static electrical propensity
• EN ISO 26987: Stain resistance and chemical resistance of resilient floor coverings
• EN ISO 10140-3, EN ISO 717-2: Laboratory measurement and rating of impact sound insulation

By adhering to these standards alongside kSIST FprEN 688:2026, stakeholders can select and install high-quality corklinoleum flooring that meets European requirements for performance, safety, and sustainability.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 688:2025
01-julij-2025
Netekstilne talne obloge - Specifikacija plutovinastih linolejev
Resilient floor coverings - Specification for corklinoleum
Elastische Bodenbeläge - Spezifikation für Korklinoleum
Revêtements de sol résilients - Spécifications pour le linoléum sur liège
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 688
ICS:
79.100 Pluta in izdelki iz plute Cork and cork products
97.150 Talne obloge Floor coverings
oSIST prEN 688:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 688:2025
oSIST prEN 688:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 688
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2025
ICS 97.150 Will supersede EN 688:2011
English Version
Resilient floor coverings - Specification for corklinoleum
Revêtements de sol résilients - Spécifications pour le Elastische Bodenbeläge - Spezifikation für
linoléum sur liège Korklinoleum
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 134.
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
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 688:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 688:2025
prEN 688:2025(E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Identification . 5
5 Requirements . 5
5.1 General requirements . 5
5.2 Classification requirements . 7
6 Marking . 7
Annex A (informative) Optional properties . 8
Bibliography . 9

oSIST prEN 688:2025
prEN 688:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 688:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 134 “Resilient,
textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings”, the secretariat of which is held by
NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 688:2011.
prEN 688:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 688:2011:
— adjusted Classification table and requirements
— addition of 2,0 mm product
— update of the normative references
— “fibrous backing” replaced by “carrier”
— requirement for thickness adjusted
— requirement for density adjusted
— impact sound reduction changed from requirement to optional property
oSIST prEN 688:2025
prEN 688:2025(E)
1 Scope
This document specifies the characteristics of corklinoleum, supplied in roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the standard includes a classification system
based on intensity of use, which shows where resilient floor coverings should give satisfactory service
(see EN 685). It also includes requirements for marking.
The term 'linoleum' is frequently incorrectly applied to a range of floor coverings, often to those based
on polyvinyl chloride or rubber. Such materials are excluded from this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) appli
...