oSIST prEN 438-9:2025

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates

This document specifies performance requirements for alternative core laminates intended for interior use, the core layer compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3], EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core layer types (coloured core layer and metal reinforced core layer) are specified in this part of the EN 438 series.
NOTE   Regarding the test methods relevant to this document, see EN 438-2.

Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 9: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem Kernaufbau

Dieses Dokument legt die Leistungsanforderungen an Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem Kernaufbau für Anwendungen im Innenbereich fest, deren Kernaufbau nicht durch EN438-3[1], EN438-4[2], EN438-5[3], EN438-6[4] und EN438-8[5] behandelt wird. In diesem Teil von EN438 wird der (farbige und metallverstärkte) Kernaufbau festgelegt.
In EN438-2 sind die Prüfverfahren festgelegt, die für dieses Dokument von Bedeutung sind.

Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 9 : Classification et spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types d'âmes

Le présent document spécifie les exigences de performance s’appliquant aux stratifiés avec autres types d’âmes, pour usage en intérieur et dont la composition de l’âme ne relève pas des normes EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3], EN 438-6 [4] et EN 438-8 [5]. Les types de couches d’âme (couche d’âme colorée et couche d’âme à renfort métallique) sont définis dans la présente partie de l’EN 438.
L’EN 438-2 spécifie les méthodes d’essai correspondant au présent document.

Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol (splošno laminati) - 9. del: Razvrstitev in specifikacije za laminate z alternativno strukturo jedra

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jul-2025
• ICS: 83.140.20 - Laminated sheets
• Technical Committee: IPMA - Polimer materials and products
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 15-May-2025
• Due Date: 02-Oct-2025
• Completion Date: 04-Aug-2025
• Ref Project: FprEN 438-9 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 438-9:2018 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates
• Effective Date: 19-Jun-2024

Overview

oSIST prEN 438-9:2025 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) with alternative core layers intended for interior use. These laminates are sheets based on thermosetting resins, commonly known as laminates, featuring core compositions not covered by earlier parts in the EN 438 series. This part 9 focuses on classification and specifications for two specific alternative core types:

• Coloured core layer laminates
• Metal reinforced core layer laminates

This standard complements other parts of EN 438 by addressing laminates with unique core structures, ensuring quality, durability, and application-specific performance.

Key Topics

Alternative Core Layers

• Coloured core layer laminates: Laminates where the core consists of fibrous materials impregnated with coloured thermosetting resins, either melamine-based or similar.
• Metal reinforced core layer laminates: Laminates that include metal sheets or meshes within the core, combined with resin-impregnated fibrous layers to enhance mechanical strength, fire resistance, permeability, and even aesthetic edge finish.

Classification System

oSIST prEN 438-9:2025 introduces a three-letter classification system to define alternative core laminates:

• First letter: B (Coloured core) or R (Metal reinforced core)
• Second letter: C (Compact) or T (Thin < 2 mm)
• Third letter: S (Standard grade) or F (Flame retardant grade)

For example, HPL/EN 438-9 BTS designates a coloured core, thin, standard-grade laminate.

Compliance Requirements

• Visual inspection: Focus on colour consistency, surface finish, and reverse side suitability for adhesive bonding.
• Dimensional tolerances: Precise thickness, length, width, flatness, straightness, and squareness requirements tailored for thin and compact laminates.
• Performance tests: Mechanical, flammability, and other criteria aligned with EN 438-2 test methods to ensure product reliability and safety.

Fire Resistance

Special flame retardant grades (Type F) comply with enhanced fire performance tests, essential for applications with strict regulatory demands such as construction, marine, and transport sectors.

Applications

oSIST prEN 438-9:2025 alternative core laminates are primarily designed for interior architectural and decorative uses where enhanced core properties are required beyond traditional HPL laminates:

• Interior wall cladding and paneling: Durable, visually appealing sheets with customized coloured cores or improved mechanical strength due to metal reinforcement.
• Furniture components: Thin and compact laminates supporting surface aesthetics and structural performance.
• Public and commercial spaces: Fire-retardant laminates that meet stringent safety standards.
• Specialty applications: Magnetic surfaces or enhanced edge finishes enabled by metal cores.

This standard supports manufacturers, architects, and fabricators by defining material classes and quality criteria for innovative laminates, expanding the versatility of HPL products.

Related Standards

• EN 438-2: Determination of properties and test methods relevant for HPL, including alternative core laminates.
• EN 438-3 to EN 438-8: Specifications for various HPL types such as thin laminates for bonding, compact laminates, exterior grades, flooring grade, design laminates, and composite panels.
• EN ISO 178: Plastics – Flexural properties testing.
• EN ISO 1183-1: Methods for density determination in plastics.
• EN ISO 12572: Hygrothermal performance - Water vapour transmission properties.

Summary

oSIST prEN 438-9:2025 delivers a comprehensive framework for the classification, specification, and testing of alternative core high-pressure decorative laminates. By defining clear requirements for coloured core and metal-reinforced core laminates, this standard ensures consistent quality, dimensional precision, and safety across interior applications. Integrating this standard enables industry professionals to select the right HPL laminates tailored for aesthetics, mechanical strength, and fire resistance, thereby enhancing product reliability and extending design possibilities in interior environments.

Keywords: High-pressure decorative laminates, alternative core laminates, coloured core HPL, metal reinforced HPL, EN 438-9, laminate classification, interior laminates, fire retardant laminates, dimensional tolerances, HPL standards, thermosetting resin sheets.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2025
Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol
(splošno laminati) - 9. del: Razvrstitev in specifikacije za laminate z alternativno
strukturo jedra
High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins
(usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core
laminates
Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze
(Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 9: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe
mit alternativem Kernaufbau
Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines
thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 9 : Classification et
spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types d'âmes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 438-9
ICS:
83.140.20 Laminatne plošče Laminated sheets
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 438-9
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2025
ICS 83.140.20 Will supersede EN 438-9:2017
English Version
High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based
on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9:
Classification and specifications for alternative core
laminates
Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL)
base de résines thermodurcissables (communément - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe)
appelées stratifiés) - Partie 9 : Classification et - Teil 9: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für
spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem Kernaufbau
d'âmes
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 249.
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 438-9:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 438-9:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 4
3.1 Terms and definitions . 4
3.2 Symbols . 5
4 Material types and classification system . 5
5 Requirements . 6
5.1 Compliance . 6
5.2 Inspection requirements . 6
5.2.1 General . 6
5.2.2 Colour and pattern . 6
5.2.3 Surface finish . 6
5.2.4 Reverse side . 6
5.2.5 Visual inspection . 6
5.3 Dimensional tolerance requirements . 7
5.3.1 Dimensional tolerance requirements for coloured core layer laminates . 7
5.3.2 Dimensional tolerances requirements for metal reinforced core layer laminates . 8
5.4 Test requirements . 9
5.4.1 General requirements for coloured core layer laminates . 9
5.4.2 General requirements for metal reinforced core layer laminates . 11
5.4.3 Reaction to fire . 13
Annex A (informative) Information on reaction to fire. 14
Bibliography. 15
prEN 438-9:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 438-9:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 438-9:2017.
prEN 438-9:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 438-9:2017:
— change the density requirements on coloured core HPL;
— align its requirements with other parts in the EN 438-series.
EN 438, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called
laminates), consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Introduction and general information
— Part 2: Determination of properties
— Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to
supporting substrates
— Part 4: Classification and specifications for compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater
— Part 5: Classification and specifications for flooring grade laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for
bonding to supporting substrates
— Part 6: Classification and specifications for exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and
greater
— Part 7: Compact laminate and HPL composite panels for internal and external wall and ceiling finishes
— Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates
— Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates
prEN 438-9:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies performance requirements for alternative core laminates intended for interior
use, the core layer compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3],
EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core layer types (coloured core layer and metal reinforced core layer)
are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 438-2:2016+A1:2018, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins
(usually called laminates) - Part 2: Determination of properties
EN ISO 178, Plastics - Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics - Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics - Part 1: Immersion
method, liquid pyknometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1)
EN ISO 12572, Hygrothermal performance of building materials and products - Determination of water
vapour transmission properties - Cup method (ISO 12572)
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1.1
high-pressure decorative alternative core laminate(s)
alternative core laminate(s)
HPL
sheet(s) consisting of decorative surface layer(s) and alternative core layers bonded together by an high
pressure process
Note 1 to entry: Typical values for the high pressure process are a temperature of ≥ 120 °C and a pressure
of ≥ 5 MPa.
3.1.2
surface layer
upper decorative layer consisting in one or more sheets of fibrous material (usually paper) impregnated
with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins)
Note 1 to entry: The surface layers appear on one or both side(s) of the laminate(s). In case of one-sided laminates,
the back of the sheet(s) can be made suitable for adhesive bonding to a substrate.
prEN 438-9:2025 (E)
3.1.3 Alternative core layer
3.1.3.1
coloured core layer
coloured fibrous materials (usually paper) impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually
melamine based resins) or fibrous materials (usually paper) impregnated with coloured aminoplastic
thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins)
Note 1 to entry: A translucent laminate is achieved by using clear resins and bleached fibres.
Note 2 to entry: The surface layer and the coloured core layers can have the same colour producing a uniformly
coloured laminate or be different colours to achieve a succession of coloured layers.
3.1.3.2
metal reinforced core layer
metal layer(s) or mesh(es) and cellulosic fibrous layers (usually paper) impregnated with phenolic
thermosetting resins or aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins)
Note 1 to entry: The purpose of including the metal layers is to improve the mechanical, fire or permeability
performances of the laminate. Additionally, the metal layers can give aesthetic improvements to edge and can also
act as magnetically adhesive layer.
3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbol applies.
t nominal thickness of the alternative core laminate
4 Material types and classification system
Alternative core laminates are defined using a three-letter classification system as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 — Alternative core laminate classification system
First letter Second letter Third letter
B (Coloured core layer laminate) C (Compact) S (Standard grade)
R (Metal reinforced core layer laminate) T (Thin laminate < 2 mm) F (Flame retardant grade)
Type S – Standard grade high-pressure decorative alternative core laminates.
Type F – High-pressure decorative alternative core laminates with improved fire retardance, similar to
type S but also complying with special requirements of specified tests which may vary according to the
application (e.g. construction, marine, transport) and the country of use (see 5.4.3).
NOTE These types of laminate are normally not postformable.
In addition to the abbreviation “HPL” and the number of this document materials are specified by the
alphabetical classification system.
EXAMPLE “Coloured core Standard Grade Thin high-pressure decorative laminate” is designated as
HPL/EN 438-9 BTS.
prEN 438-9:2025 (E)
5 Requirements
5.1 Compliance
Alternative core layer laminates classified in Table 1 shall comply with all appropriate requirements
specified in 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. This applies to both full-size sheets and cut-to-size panels.
5.2 Inspection requirements
5.2.1 General
Inspection shall be carried out in accordance with EN 438-2:2016+A1:2018, Clause 4, at a distance
between 750 mm and 1 500 mm.
5.2.2 Colour and pattern
When inspected in daylight or D65 standard illuminant, as specified in EN ISO/CIE 11664-2, and also
under tungsten-filament lightning illuminant A as specified in EN ISO/CIE 11664-2, a slight difference
between the corresponding colour reference sample held by the supplier and the specimen under test is
acceptable.
When colour and surface finish are critical, it is recommended that sheets are checked for colour and
surface-finish compatibility without protective film before fabrication or installation.
5.2.3 Surface finish
When inspected at different viewing angles, there shall be no significant difference between the
corresponding surface-finish reference sample held by the supplier and the specimen under test.
When colour and surface finish are critical, it is recommended that sheets are checked for colour and
surface-finish compatibility without protective film before fabrication or installation.
5.2.4 Reverse side
The reverse side of single-sided sheets shall be suitable for adhesive bonding (e.g. sanded). In the case of
sanded backs, slight chatter marks shall be permitted.
5.2.5 Visual inspection
5.2.5.1 General
The following inspection requirements indicate the minimum acceptable qu
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