SIST EN 15146:2026
(Main)Solid softwood panelling and cladding - Machined profiles without tongue and groove
- Abstract
This document specifies characteristics of solid wood panelling and cladding without tongue and groove machined from softwoods (wood of trees of the botanical group gymnosperms). Products are intended for interior or exterior use.
This document covers treated, untreated and surface treated products, including those made of thermally and chemically modified wood, as well as finger jointed products.
This document does not cover processes for treatment, surface coating or modification.
NOTE Where further regulatory provisions (e.g. durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances and generally CE-marking according to CPR) are required, EN 14915 applies.
- Status
- Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 16-Jul-2025
- Publication Date
- 17-Aug-2026
- Technical Committee
- LLZ - Les, lesni izdelki in zaščita lesa
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 30-Jul-2026
- Due Date
- 04-Oct-2026
- Completion Date
- 18-Aug-2026
SIST EN 15146:2026 is the Slovenian adoption of EN 15146:2026, a CEN standard for solid softwood panelling and cladding machined as profiles without tongue and groove. It specifies how these products are described, graded, measured and marked for interior or exterior use, including treated, untreated, surface-treated, thermally or chemically modified, and finger-jointed products.
What does SIST EN 15146:2026 specify?
SIST EN 15146:2026 covers the characteristics of solid wood panelling and cladding without tongue and groove, machined from softwoods. It sets the framework for product selection, grading, moisture content, geometry, sampling, and marking so that suppliers and buyers can describe the product in a common way.
The document does not cover the treatment, surface coating or modification processes themselves. It points users to EN 14915 when wider regulatory provisions are needed, such as durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances, or CE marking under CPR.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A (normative) | Requirements for the classification of a free grade |
The main clauses are:
- Clause 1 - Scope
- Clause 2 - Normative references
- Clause 3 - Terms and definitions
- Clause 4 - Symbols and abbreviations
- Clause 5 - Requirements
- Clause 6 - Sampling
- Clause 7 - Technical specifications and marking
What are the key requirements of SIST EN 15146:2026?
Species, grading and free grade
Clause 5.1 says the softwood species shall be chosen for the intended appearance, purpose and general species characteristics. Finger jointing to EN 13307-1 is allowed when agreed and specified, which matters when production uses shorter pieces or engineered lengths.
Clause 5.2 limits grading to the face unless otherwise agreed, and grading measurements follow EN 1309-3. For softwoods except maritime pine, Table 1 gives grades A and B; for maritime pine, Table 2 gives grades 0 (SN), A (PN) and B (NO). In practice, the grade tells the buyer how much of the visible face may show knots, resin pockets, fissures, colour variation, wane and other defects.
Clause 5.2.2 also permits a combined grading class such as A/B if the parties agree. Clause 5.2.3 allows a free grade when the standard classes are not suitable, but the manufacturer must declare it and the parties must agree the features. Annex A then requires the free grade to state all relevant features, so the specification stays clear even when no standard grade is used.
Moisture content and measurement
Clause 5.3 sets the moisture content at production at 17 % ± 2 % for exterior use, 12 % ± 2 % for interior use, and 11 % ± 3 % for maritime pine, unless a different value is specified for special applications or production methods. Up to 10 % of the elements may fall outside the stated range, but not by more than 3 % beyond it. That matters because moisture affects shrinkage, stability and fit after installation.
The moisture content is determined using EN 13183-1, EN 13183-2 or EN 13183-3. Clause 5.4.1 says dimensions are measured to EN 13647 at the reference moisture content, so inspection is tied to a defined condition rather than to the product as delivered in changing climate.
Dimensions, profiles and machining
Clause 5.4.2 allows different profiles across Europe and gives only general technical requirements, with drying grooves allowed on the back. Clause 5.4.3 sets the dimensional tolerances: thickness, width and length depend on whether a target size is specified, and end-matched products have tighter length tolerance. For users, this is the part that drives fit, coverage and installation planning.
Clause 5.4.3.6 limits deformation, including cup, bow, spring and twist, and states a maximum cup tolerance of 1 % of width at production. Clause 5.4.4 requires the face to be smoothly planed unless otherwise specified, with cutter marks not wider than 2 mm, and says other surfaces such as rough sawn, brushed, sandblasted or sanded must be specified. In practice, this is what the buyer needs to check before acceptance.
Marking
Clause 7 requires the product name and profile type, the standard number, the wood species, the grading class or free grade, the field of application, profile dimensions, end matching and/or finger jointing status, moisture content at production, and any treatment type before grading. This gives the minimum information needed on the product, label, packaging or commercial documents for traceability and correct use.
What terms does SIST EN 15146:2026 define?
- Panelling - elements of solid wood mainly for interior use, machined on the face and regularised on the back.
- Cladding - elements of solid wood mainly for exterior use, machined on the face and regularised on the back.
- Face - the visible surfaces of an element when installed, including edges and chamfers.
- Regularised - a surface where some areas remain untouched during machining.
- End matching - the end profile of the panelling or cladding, including tongue and/or groove.
Who uses SIST EN 15146:2026?
Manufacturers and processors use SIST EN 15146:2026 to set grading, moisture content, dimensions and marking for solid softwood panelling and cladding. Quality managers and testing personnel use it to check features, measure geometry and confirm moisture content at production.
Buyers, specifiers and installers use it to agree the product type, grade, finish, end matching and intended use before delivery. It is also relevant to suppliers handling treated, modified or finger-jointed products, especially when the product must be described consistently across documents and labels.
What changed in SIST EN 15146:2026 from the previous edition?
SIST EN 15146:2026 supersedes EN 15146:2006. The document states these technical changes:
- alignment of the series EN 14519, EN 15146 and EN 14951
- updated scope, normative references, and terms and definitions
- scope opened to all softwood species
- more precise moisture content ranges for panelling and cladding
- CEN/TS 12169 referenced for sampling instead of the former Annex A
- clauses on technical specifications and marking merged and aligned
- former Annex A deleted
Which standards are used with SIST EN 15146:2026?
- EN 844 - terminology for round and sawn timber.
- EN 1309-3 - methods for measuring features and biological degradations.
- EN 13183-1, EN 13183-2, EN 13183-3 - moisture content by oven dry, electrical resistance and capacitance methods.
- EN 13307-1 - requirements for timber blanks and semi-finished profiles for non-structural uses, including finger jointing.
- EN 13647 - determination of geometrical characteristics for wood flooring and wood panelling and cladding.
- EN 13756 - terminology for wood flooring and parquet, used together with the terms in this document.
- EN 14915 - characteristics, requirements and marking when durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances or CPR marking are needed.
- EN 13556 - nomenclature of timbers used in Europe, useful for species identification in marking.
- CEN/TS 12169 - criteria for assessing conformity of a lot of sawn timber, recommended for sampling in disputes.
What does the SIST EN 15146:2026 document contain?
The document contains two grading tables for softwoods, one for softwoods except maritime pine and one for maritime pine, plus a normative annex for free-grade classification. It also includes a figure with example cross-sections without tongue and groove and tables for thickness and width tolerances.
Its technical content covers grading features, moisture content limits, dimensional tolerances, deformation, machining quality, sampling guidance and marking. For users, these are the parts that support product specification, incoming inspection, acceptance and documentation.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 19-Jan-2023
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 15146:2026 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Solid softwood panelling and cladding - Machined profiles without tongue and groove". This standard covers: This document specifies characteristics of solid wood panelling and cladding without tongue and groove machined from softwoods (wood of trees of the botanical group gymnosperms). Products are intended for interior or exterior use. This document covers treated, untreated and surface treated products, including those made of thermally and chemically modified wood, as well as finger jointed products. This document does not cover processes for treatment, surface coating or modification. NOTE Where further regulatory provisions (e.g. durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances and generally CE-marking according to CPR) are required, EN 14915 applies.
This document specifies characteristics of solid wood panelling and cladding without tongue and groove machined from softwoods (wood of trees of the botanical group gymnosperms). Products are intended for interior or exterior use. This document covers treated, untreated and surface treated products, including those made of thermally and chemically modified wood, as well as finger jointed products. This document does not cover processes for treatment, surface coating or modification. NOTE Where further regulatory provisions (e.g. durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances and generally CE-marking according to CPR) are required, EN 14915 applies.
SIST EN 15146:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 79.080 - Semi-manufactures of timber. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 15146:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 13183-3:2005, SIST EN 13756:2018, SIST EN 13183-1:2003, SIST EN 1309-3:2018, SIST EN 13307-1:2007, SIST EN 844:2019, SIST EN 13183-2:2003, SIST EN 13647:2021, SIST EN 15146:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 15146:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011; Standardization Mandates: M/121. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
SIST EN 15146:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Notranje in zunanje obloge (opaž) iz masivnega lesa iglavcev - Profili brez utora in
peresa
Solid softwood panelling and cladding - Machined profiles without tongue and groove
Innen- und Außenbekleidungen aus massivem Nadelholz - Profilholz ohne Nut und
Feder
Lambris et bardages en bois massif résineux - Profilés usinés sans rainure et languette
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 15146:2026
ICS:
79.080 Polizdelki iz lesa Semi-manufactures of timber
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 15146
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 79.080 Supersedes EN 15146:2006
English Version
Solid softwood panelling and cladding - Machined profiles
without tongue and groove
Lambris et bardages en bois massif résineux - Profilés Innen- und Außenbekleidungen aus massivem
usinés sans rainure et languette Nadelholz - Profilholz ohne Nut und Feder
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 4 June 2026.
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-CENELEC 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-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.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 15146:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 5
5 Requirements . 5
5.1 General. 5
5.2 Grading . 5
5.2.1 General. 5
5.2.2 Grading classes . 5
5.2.3 Free grade . 8
5.3 Moisture content . 9
5.4 Geometrical characteristics . 9
5.4.1 General. 9
5.4.2 Profiles . 9
5.4.3 Dimensions and tolerances . 9
5.4.4 Machining . 11
6 Sampling . 11
7 Technical specifications and marking . 12
Annex A (normative) Requirements for the classification of a free grade . 13
Bibliography . 14
European foreword
This document (EN 15146:2026) 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 January 2027, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 15146:2006.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— alignment of the series of product standards: EN 14519, EN 15146 and EN 14951;
— scope, normative references and terms and definitions updated;
— scope opened to all softwood species:
— ranges of moisture content for panelling and cladding were specified more precisely;
— CEN/TS 12169 was referenced for sampling methods instead of former Annex A;
— clauses “Technical specifications” and “Marking” were merged and aligned;
— former Annex A deleted.
This document is one of a series of standards concerning solid wood panelling and cladding and wood
flooring (including parquet).
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies characteristics of solid wood panelling and cladding without tongue and groove
machined from softwoods (wood of trees of the botanical group gymnosperms). Products are intended
for interior or exterior use.
This document covers treated, untreated and surface treated products, including those made of thermally
and chemically modified wood, as well as finger jointed products.
This document does not cover processes for treatment, surface coating or modification.
NOTE Where further regulatory provisions (e.g. durability, reaction to fire, dangerous substances and
generally CE-marking according to CPR) are required, harmonized EN 14915 applies.
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) applies.
EN 844, Round and sawn timber — Terminology
EN 1309-3, Round and sawn timber — Methods of measurements — Part 3: Features and biological
degradations
EN 13183-1, Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber — Part 1: Determination by oven dry method
EN 13183-2, Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber — Part 2: Estimation by electrical resistance
method
EN 13183-3, Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber — Part 3: Estimation by capacitance method
EN 13307-1, Timber blanks and semi-finished profiles for non-structural uses — Part 1: Requirements
EN 13647, Wood flooring and wood panelling and cladding — Determination of geometrical characteristics
EN 13756, Wood flooring and parquet — Terminology
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13756, EN 844, EN 1309-3 and
the following 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
panelling
elements of solid wood mainly for interior use which have been machined on the face and have been
regularised on the back
3.2
cladding
elements of solid wood mainly for exterior use which have been machined on the face and have been
regularised on the back
3.3
face
visible surfaces of an element when installed
Note 1 to entry: This includes edges and chamfers.
3.4
regularised
feature of the surface of an element where some areas of a face remain untouched during
the machining process
3.5
end matching
profile at the end of the panelling or cladding including tongue and/or groove
4 Symbols and abbreviations
Symbols and abbreviations used in this document are given in Figure 1 and in Table 3 and Table 4.
5 Requirements
5.1 General
The softwood species shall be selected with regard to the appearance expected, the suitability for the
intended purpose and the general characteristics of the species itself. All requirements apply at the time
of production, unless otherwise specified.
Finger jointing according to EN 13307-1 is permitted if agreed upon and specified e.g. by the
manufacturer.
NOTE Regarding the bonding and glue type other standards and regulations can apply.
5.2 Grading
5.2.1 General
Grading applies to the face only, unless otherwise specified. Machining requirements are covered in 5.4.4
and apply to all grades of all species.
The measurement of features shall be in accordance with EN 1309-3.
The elements may be finished with surface coating. The grading shall be done before coating.
Additionally, to the grading classes given in 5.2.2 different grading classes and quality criteria for
panelling and cladding exist on national and company levels in Europe. Hence, free grades according to
5.2.3 may also be used.
5.2.2 Grading classes
Grading classes and the features for softwoods (except maritime pine) are given in Table 1. Grading and
the features for maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) are given in Table 2.
A combined grading class, e.g. A/B, is permitted if agreed upon and specified e.g. by the manufacturer.
Table 1 — Grading classes of softwoods (except maritime pine)
a, b
Features Grade A Grade B
Knots Pe
...