SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014

Plywood - Specifications

This European Standard specifies the requirements for plywood, as defined in EN 313 2, for both general purpose use (non-structural application) and structural application in dry, humid or exterior conditions. It also gives a classification system based on the bending properties.
NOTE 1   This European Standard is referenced in EN 13986 for construction applications.
This standard can be appropriately applied for all plywood, including overlaid and coated plywood, but it does not cover materials or processes used for overlaying or coating. Neither does it cover any materials or processes applied in relation to enhancement of biological durability.
NOTE 2   For additional guidance on biological durability and the potential need for preservative treatment, according to application and serviceability, reference can be made to CEN/TS 1099.
The values listed under Clause 4 relate only to product properties; they are not 'characteristic values' and are not to be used in design calculations.
NOTE 3   Characteristic values (i.e. for use in design calculation according to EN 1995–1-1) are given either in EN 12369–2 which is based on the classification system given in this standard or by the manufacturer based on testing according to EN 789, EN 1058 and ENV 1156.
Additional information on supplementary properties for certain applications is also given.

Sperrholz - Anforderungen

Contreplaqué - Exigences

Vezane plošče - Specifikacije

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 05-Oct-2014
• ICS: 79.060.10 - Plywood
• Technical Committee: LLZ - Les, lesni izdelki in zaščita lesa
• Current Stage: 98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 05-Apr-2024
• Due Date: 10-Apr-2024
• Completion Date: 05-Apr-2024
• Directive: 305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Mandate: M/113 - Mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardization work for harmonized standards on wood based panels
• Ref Project: EN 636:2012/FprA1 - Plywood - Specifications

Relations

• Consolidated By: SIST EN 636:2013+A1:2015 - Plywood - Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Amends: SIST EN 636:2013 - Plywood - Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014

Overview

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies comprehensive requirements for plywood used in both general purpose (non-structural) and structural applications. It covers plywood performance under dry, humid, and exterior conditions, providing a classification system focused on the bending properties of the panels. This standard is referenced in EN 13986, which governs plywood use in construction within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Key aspects of SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 include:

• Applicable to all plywood types, including overlaid and coated variants
• Excludes processes related to overlaying/coating and treatments for biological durability enhancement
• Includes guidelines for product marking, durability classification, and supplementary properties

This standard enables manufacturers and users to ensure plywood quality and suitability for different environments and loading requirements.

Key Topics

Scope and Application

EN 636 covers plywood as defined in EN 313-2 for a range of conditions:

• General Purpose Use: Non-structural applications in dry or humid environments
• Structural Use: Load-bearing applications under dry, humid, or exterior conditions
• Suitable for overlaid and coated plywood but excludes overlay/coating processes and biological durability treatments

Classification System

A key feature is the classification of plywood based on bending properties, which supports engineers and builders in selecting plywood suited to specific structural needs.

Marking Requirements

For EEA-marketed boards, the standard mandates clear marking that includes:

• The standard number (EN 636) with usage conditions suffix (-1 dry, -2 humid, -3 exterior)
• Application designation: "S" for structural, "NS" for non-structural use
• Commercial or botanical name of wood species used in plywood manufacturing

Durability and Use Classes

Annex B provides detailed guidance on plywood durability related to biological attack, using the Use Classes system aligned with EN 335:2013:

• Use Class 1: Dry conditions, low risk of fungal or insect attack
• Use Class 2: Occasional moisture exposure, potential mould and fungal growth
• Use Class 3: Frequent moisture exposure with higher fungal risk
• Use Class 4: Permanent moisture above 20%, requiring inherent or treated durability
• Use Class 5: Permanently submerged in saltwater, risk of marine organisms and fungi

Supplementary Properties

Additional properties for specialized applications are addressed in Annex A, supporting optimal plywood selection beyond basic mechanical and durability characteristics.

Applications

• Construction Industry: Ensures plywood meets safety and performance standards for structural applications in buildings, including floors, walls, and roofs.
• Non-Structural Uses: Suitable for furniture, interior paneling, and decorative surfaces in regulated environments.
• Exterior and Humid Conditions: Plywood for outdoor cladding, roofing underlays, and wet area applications benefitting from specific durability and moisture resistance classifications.
• Manufacturing: Assists plywood producers in compliance with European regulations and consistent product quality across member states.

Related Standards

• EN 313-2: Defines plywood panel definitions and classifications used by EN 636.
• EN 13986: Construction products regulation referencing EN 636 for plywood use in building.
• EN 12369-2: Provides characteristic values for design calculations aligned with EN 636 classification.
• EN 789, EN 1058, ENV 1156: Test methods for bending and mechanical properties required for certification.
• EN 335:2013: Defines use classes relating to biological durability affecting plywood service life.
• CEN/TS 1099: Guidance on biological durability and preservative treatment requirements.

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SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 provides essential technical specifications and classification systems that facilitate the correct selection, marking, and use of plywood for varied construction and non-structural applications. Adhering to this standard ensures enhanced plywood performance, durability, and regulatory compliance across Europe.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2014
9H]DQHSORãþH6SHFLILNDFLMH
Plywood - Specifications
Sperrholz - Anforderungen
Contreplaqué - Exigences
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 636:2012/FprA1
ICS:
79.060.10 Vezan les Plywood
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
FINAL DRAFT
EN 636:2012
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
FprA1
June 2014
ICS 79.060.10
English Version
Plywood - Specifications
Contreplaqué - Exigences Sperrholz - Anforderungen
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for unique acceptance procedure. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 112.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 636:2012. If this draft becomes an amendment, CEN
members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of this amendment
into the relevant national standard without any alteration.

This draft amendment 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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey 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: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 636:2012/FprA1:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
1 Modification to Clause 1, Scope .4
2 Modification in 12.1, Boards marketed within the European Economic area for
construction applications .4
3 Modification in 12.2, Other boards .4
4 Add a New Annex B (informative), Durability of wood and wood-based products -
Definition of Use classes of biological attack- Application to plywood .4
Annex A (normative) Supplementary properties .5
Annex B (informative) Durability of wood and wood-based products - Definition of Use classes
of biological attack- Application to plywood .6
B.1 Scope .6
B.2 General .6
B.3 Use class1 .6
B.4 Use class 2 .6
B.5 Use class 3 .7
B.6 Use class 4 .7
B.7 Use class 5 .7
B.8 Summary of Use classes for plywood .7
B.9 Guide for the application to plywood .9
B.9.1 Introduction .9
B.9.2 General decision making .9
B.9.3 General precautions .9
B.9.4 Durability (inherent or conferred) of wood based panels. 10

Foreword
This document (EN 636:2012/FprA1:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 112 “Wood-
based panels”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure.
1 Modification to Clause 1, Scope
Replace the text of the scope by the following one:
This European Standard specifies the requirements for plywood, as defined in EN 313-2, for both general
purpose use (non-structural application) and structural application in dry, humid or exterior conditions. It also
gives a classification system based on the bending properties.
NOTE 1 This European Standard is referenced in EN 13986 for construction applications.
This standard can be appropriately applied for all plywood, including overlaid and coated plywood, but it does
not cover materials or processes used for overlaying or coating. Neither does it cover any materials or
processes applied in relation to enhancement of biological durability.
NOTE 2 For additional guidance on biological durability and the potential need for preservative treatment, according to
application and serviceability, reference can be made to CEN/TS 1099.
The values listed under Clause 4 relate only to product properties; they are not 'characteristic values' and are
not to be used in design calculations.
NOTE 3 Characteristic values (i.e. for use in design calculation according to EN 1995–1-1) are given either in
EN 12369–2 which is based on the classification system given in this standard or by the manufacturer based on testing
according to EN 789, EN 1058 and ENV 1156.
Additional information on supplementary properties for certain applications is also given.
2 Modification in 12.1, Boards marketed within the European Economic area for
construction applications
Replace the existing text by the following one:
Boards produced in conformity with this European Standard and marketed in any of the territories of the EEA
for use in construction as defined in the Construction Products Regulation (n°305/2011) shall be marked
according to the requirements of EN 13986.
Complementary, each board or package shall be clearly marked by the manufacturer by indelible direct
printing with the following information:
- the number of this European standard (EN 636) and the conditions of use (−1 for use in dry conditions, −2
for use in humid conditions, −3 for use in exterior conditions)
- the letter corresponding to the intended application “S” for structural application or “NS” for general purpose
(non-structural application)
- the commercial name or botanic name of the wood species in the plywood.
3 Modification in 12.2, Other boards
Add as a new indent 3 in the first list:
- the commercial name or botanic name of the wood species in the plywood;
4 Add a New Annex B (informative), Durability of wood and wood-based products -
Definition of Use classes of biological attack- Application to plywood
Annex A
(normative)
Supplementary properties
No change
Annex B
(informative)
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Definition of Use classes
of biological attack- Application to plywood
B.1 Scope
This annex gives guidance on the application of the use class system, as defined in EN 335:2013, to plywoo
...