CEN/TC 134 - Resilient and textile floor coverings

This document specifies minimum performance requirements for fibrous, non-fibrous and combined underlays, together with their classification for seven classes of intended use/application.

ISO 16906:2015 specifies a method for determining the strength of the seams of resilient floor coverings when welded in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The aim of this document is to provide general recommendations and guidelines on how to design a product to optimize its reuse and recyclability at the end of its lifetime as well as to take into account sustainable sourcing of materials for all floor covering product groups covered by CEN/TC 134. The overall target is to avoid waste and pollution and to achieve a product fit for the circular economy.
In a linear economy, the focus of product design is on developing new products without considering the recycling or reuse of the raw materials used.
This document provides guidance for processes allowing for (raw) materials used to be returned to the economic cycle based on circular design principles. The focus is on open systems that allow for economically interesting alternatives and are not limited to the principle of closed cycles (product to product).
Specific attention is given to renewable materials, where applicable.
The document is structured along the life cycle of the products, starting with the production phase.
Excluded is packaging, which is not considered part of the product end-of-life stage.

This document specifies a method for the evaluation of impregnations or other treatments in needled floor coverings by means of a soiling test.

This document specifies methods for determining side lengths, straightness of edges and squareness of square and/or rectangular resilient or textile floor tiles and planks.

This document specifies characteristics, requirements and test methods for laminate floor coverings with a surface layer as defined in 3.2 to 3.5. It also specifies requirements for marking and packaging.
It includes a classification system, based on EN ISO 10874, giving practical requirements for areas of use and levels of use, to indicate where laminate floor coverings will give satisfactory service and to encourage the consumer to make an informed choice.
Laminate floor coverings are generally designed for floating installations and are considered for domestic and commercial levels of use, including domestic kitchens. This document does not specify requirements relating to the use in areas which are subjected to frequent wetting, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or saunas. In general, laminate floor coverings can only be used in those areas when authorized by the manufacturer and under conditions described in the manufacturer's installation guidelines.

This document defines terms regarding circular economy that are used by the flooring sector.

This document specifies the requirements for cork floor coverings made from agglomerated composition cork, with or without a decorative surface layer, with or without applied colours, supplied in tile form which are designed to be used with a factory finish and/or an in situ finish.
The cork floor decorative surface layer can be made of cork or other bio-based decorative materials, e.g. wood or bamboo veneers, linoleum, leather or natural fibres.
This document includes a classification system based on intensity of use which shows where cork floor tiles with a factory finish can give satisfactory service (see EN ISO 10874). It also specifies requirements for marking, labelling and packing.

This document specifies the characteristics of multilayer mechanical locked floor covering with a wear-resistant and decorative surface layer supplied in panels (either tile or plank form). The floor panels are considered suitable for domestic and commercial levels of use and designed for floating installation.
This document does not apply to resilient floor panels for loose-laying according to EN ISO 20326, to multilayer wood floorings according to EN 13489, to wood veneer floor coverings according to EN 14354, to laminate floor covering according to EN 13329, EN 14978 and EN 15468 nor to products specified in EN ISO 10581, EN ISO 10582, EN ISO 24011, EN 12104 and ISO 14486.
This document is applicable to areas which are subject to frequent wetting, e.g. bathrooms, laundry rooms or saunas, only if specified by the producer.
This document also includes requirements for marking and packaging.
In Annex A (informative), optional properties are given. In Annex B (informative), a test method for the classification of the flexibility is given.

This document specifies the characteristics of heterogeneous poly(vinyl chloride) flooring on foam, based on poly(vinyl chloride), and supplied in roll form or tile and plank. Such products can contain a transparent, non PVC factory finish.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document includes a classification system, based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings can be expected to give satisfactory service.
It also specifies requirements for marking.

ISO 26986:2010 specifies the characteristics of floor coverings based on expanded (cushioned) poly(vinyl chloride), supplied as either tiles or rolls.
ISO 26986:2010 includes a classification system based on the intensity of use, which shows where resilient floor coverings give satisfactory service.

This document concerns floor covering products falling under the scope of EN 14041 as well as mandate M/119 and M/119 rev.1. Such products are considered construction products for indoor use.
Excluded are products which are loose laid (barrier)mats, runners and rugs, as well as products which might be covered by other harmonized standards, such as indoor sports flooring, or other legislation such as flooring in public transport.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on how to deal with the situation that:
a) the version EN 14041:2004/AC:2006 has to be used for placing CEN TC134 products onto the European market, even though it:
1) was developed under the no longer applicable “Council Directive 89/106/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (CPD)”;
and
2) has been withdrawn and replaced by EN 14041:2018 in the current CEN catalogue;
and
b) the more recent version EN 14041:2018 cannot be used for placing CEN TC134 products onto the European market, even though it:
1) was developed under the currently applicable legislation, “Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products (CPR)”;
2) is the active version of the standard in the current CEN catalogue.
The focus will be on an overview of the resources available from the European commission for CE marking and placing products onto the European market as well as how to implement EN 14041:2004/AC:2006 under the current European legislation pointing out sections which are no longer valid.

This document specifies a method for determining dimensional stability and curling of resilient floor coverings, in the form of sheets, tiles or planks after exposure to heat.

This document specifies test methods for the determination of geometrical characteristics of modular mechanical locked floor covering panels in respect of thickness, length, width, squareness, straightness, width flatness, length flatness, openings between assembled elements and height differences between assembled elements.
The geometrical characteristics of modular mechanical locked panels are important considerations because installed flooring will have an objectionable appearance if these performance criteria are not followed. This can cause the installed panels to line up unevenly, producing unsightly seams, uneven surfaces and corners that do not match.

This document specifies a test method for the micro-scratch resistance with two procedures (A and B) and a test method for polishing resistance (procedure C) which can be used for all types of laminate floor coverings. The resistance to polishing is related to mat surfaces.

ISO 4918:2016 specifies methods for determining the change of appearance and stability of a textile floor covering or any damage caused by detachment of layers, opening of joints, or crazing of a resilient or laminate floor covering under the movement of a castor chair.

This document specifies test methods for determining:
a)   the vertical resistance,
b)   the resistance to earth,
c)   the surface resistance
of a resilient, laminate and modular multilayer floor covering after installation in test piece or after installation.

This document specifies four methods of test for textile floor coverings (with or without an underlay, see Clause 9) using the Lisson Tretrad machine.
—     test A: determination of mass loss of textile floor coverings, also used to assess fibre bind of synthetic pile carpets;
—     test B: determination of stair nosing appearance change of textile floor coverings;
—     test C: determination of fibre bind on synthetic loop pile carpets;
—     test D: determination of fibre bind (hairiness) on needled floor coverings and floor coverings without pile.

This document specifies the characteristics of homogeneous quartz vinyl tiles based on polyvinyl chloride binder, quartz sand as a sole or partial filler, with or without a transparent, non-PVC factory finish and supplied in tile form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document includes a classification system (see EN ISO 10874) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings will give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

This document specifies the characteristics of homogeneous and heterogeneous smooth (including grained or embossed) rubber floor coverings with foam backing, supplied in roll or in tile form.
This document includes a classification system based on intensity of use, which shows where these resilient floor coverings will give satisfactory service (see EN ISO 10874). It also specifies requirements for marking.

This document specifies the characteristics of homogeneous and heterogeneous relief or studded rubber floor coverings, supplied in either tile or roll form.
This document includes a classification system based on intensity of use, which shows where these resilient floor coverings will give satisfactory service (see EN ISO 10874). It also specifies requirements for marking.

This document specifies the characteristics of homogeneous and heterogeneous smooth (including grained or embossed) rubber floor coverings, supplied in either tile or roll form.
This document includes a classification system based on intensity of use, which shows where these resilient floor coverings should give satisfactory service (see EN ISO 10874). It also specifies requirements for marking.

This document establishes a system of graphic symbols for use in the marking of the following floor coverings and specifies the use of these symbols:
-   resilient floor coverings manufactured from plastics, linoleum, cork or rubber, excluding loose-laid mats;
-   textile floor coverings, including loose-laid mats and rugs;
-   laminate floor coverings;
-   modular mechanical locked floor coverings (MMF).

This document establishes a test and calculation method for resilient, textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings.
This document is also intended to provide guidance for manufacturers, specifiers and consumers, to enable them to choose the appropriate performance of floor covering regarding the light reflectancy of the use surface.

This document specifies a method of assessment of surface resistance to impact with a small ball tester and relates to the surfaces of laminate floor coverings according to EN 13329, EN 14978 or EN 15468. The test is generally carried out on parts of the laminate floor panels with suitable sizes.

This document specifies the characteristics of homogeneous floor coverings, based on poly(vinyl chloride), supplied in either tile or roll form. Products can contain a transparent, non-PVC factory finish.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document also includes a classification system (see ISO 10874) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

This standard gives guidance in case of complaints when a colour deviation is observed after installation of a textile floor covering by the installer and/or end user.
The colour deviation can be observed within different parts of the installation or between the installed textile floor covering and the initially presented sample on which the choice for ordering was made.

This document specifies the characteristics for resilient floor coverings based upon synthetic thermoplastic polymers, supplied either in roll or tile form.
This specification does not apply to floor coverings specified in one of the following standards: EN ISO 10581, EN ISO 10582, EN ISO 10595, EN ISO 26986, EN 650, EN 651 and EN 652.

This document specifies the characteristics of plain and decorated linoleum on a foam backing as a compound floor covering, supplied in roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document includes a classification system based on the intensity of use, which shows where resilient floor coverings provide satisfactory service.
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 not included in this document.

ISO 10833:2017 specifies a method to determine the susceptibility of textile floor coverings to mechanical damage at cut edges.
It is applicable to all textile floor coverings both as sheet materials and as tiles.

ISO 16581:2014 specifies a method for determining the resistance of an installed resilient or laminate floor covering to the mechanical stress resulting from the simulated movement of a furniture leg.

This document specifies the characteristics of plain and decorative linoleum on a corkment backing as a compound floor covering, supplied in roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this standard 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. Such materials are not included in this document.

This European Standard specifies the essential characteristics for the following types of floor coverings:
-   resilient floor coverings, excluding loose-laid mats;
-   textile floor coverings, excluding loose-laid (barrier) mats, runners and rugs;
-   laminate floor coverings;
-   modular multilayer floor coverings.
These types of floor coverings may or may not be formulated to enhance the performance of one or more essential characteristics.
These types of floor coverings are intended for internal use as floor coverings within a building according to the manufacturer's specifications.
For these types of floor coverings this European standard specifies the assessment methods for determination of performances of the essential characteristics, the ways of expressing their performance, the systems for assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) their marking.
This standard does not specify requirements of floor coverings, which are not related to the essential characteristics as defined in Regulation (EU) No 305/2011.
This standard does not cover installation or maintenance of the floor coverings.

This document specifies characteristics, states requirements and gives test methods for modular multilayer floor coverings with an surface layer based on wood powder (as defined in 3.1).
It includes a classification system, based on EN ISO 10874, giving practical requirements for areas of use and levels of use, to indicate where powder based floor coverings will give satisfactory service and to encourage the consumer to make an informed choice. It also specifies requirements for marking and packaging.
Powder based floor coverings are considered for domestic and commercial levels of use.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for classification of all textile floor coverings and carpet tiles, excluding rugs and runners (see ISO 2424) into use classes with regard to one or more of the following properties: wear, appearance retention, additional performance properties and classes for luxury rating.
This European Standard refers to the classification as defined in EN ISO 10874.

This document specifies test methods for the determination of the technical characteristics of underlays under laminate floor coverings. It includes minimum performance requirements for the underlay-flooring system to give satisfactory service and to encourage the consumer to make an informed choice. It also specifies requirements for marking and packaging.
Underlays pre-attached to the laminate flooring coverings are not covered by this document.
Underlays for laminate floor coverings intended for use in electrostatically sensitive areas such as computer rooms, etc., are not covered by this document.

This European Standard specifies requirements for machine-made (woven, tufted, knitted, needled, flocked, bonded, hand-tufted) rugs and runners, including a classification according to use intensity and luxury.
This European Standard is not applicable to hand-knotted rugs, to barrier mats or to bathroom rugs.

ISO 20326:2016 specifies requirements and test methods for floor panels/assembly for domestic and commercial levels of use, which have surface layers consisting of resilient floor covering.
ISO 20326:2016 is not applicable to heterogeneous polyvinyl chloride floor panels/assembly for floating installation covered by ISO 10582 or to floor panels/assembly that are subject to frequent wetting, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and saunas.

ISO 10582:2017 specifies the characteristics of non-cushioned, heterogeneous floor coverings, consisting of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), supplied in either tile or plank or roll form. Products can contain a transparent, non-PVC factory finish.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this document includes a classification system (see ISO 10874) based on the intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

This European standard specifies the minimum additional characteristics which are necessary for:
-   polyvinyl chloride floor coverings in roll form according to EN ISO 10581 or EN ISO 10582,
-   polyvinyl chloride floor coverings with foam backing in roll form to EN 651,
-   polyvinyl chloride floor coverings with particle based enhanced slip resistance in roll form to EN 13845
to be installed satisfactorily in special wet areas to form a watertight installation with a long life. It specifies two categories (A and B) for use on different substrates.

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of floor coverings with sustainable enhanced slip resistant characteristics under specified conditions based on polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof, supplied in either tile or roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, this European Standard includes a classification system (see EN ISO 10874) based on intensity of use, which shows where resilient floor coverings should give satisfactory service.
In addition, this European Standard details the requirements for the information to be included on the packaging labels.
The slip measurements are made in a laboratory on ex-factory floor covering surfaces only. The method described is suitable for testing on wet surfaces.

ISO 9405:2015 describes the procedures for assessing the overall change in appearance of textile floor coverings caused by Vettermann drum and hexapod tumbler testers according to ISO 10361 and ISO 4918.

This European standard provides product category rules (PCR) for Type III environmental product declarations (EPD) for resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings.
This standard applies to the following types of floor coverings:
-   resilient floor coverings manufactured from plastics, linoleum, cork or rubber, including loose-laid mats;
-   textile floor coverings, including loose-laid mats, rugs and runners;
-   laminate floor coverings;
-   modular floating floor coverings panels;
An EPD may be developed for single or individual products, product groups and average products.

This standard specifies a method for determining the body voltage generated when a person wearing standardized footwear walks on a resilient or laminate floor covering. The test method can be used under laboratory conditions as well as in situ.

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of heterogeneous resilient floor coverings based on polyurethane with thermosetting properties supplied in either roll, planks or tile form. This specification does apply for floor covering consisting of a wear layer and other compact layers made from polyurethane which differ in composition, chemical crosslinking and/or design and can contain a decor layer, reinforcement and other backing.
This specification does not apply for floor coverings that are specified in EN ISO 10582, EN ISO 24011, EN 1817 or EN 14565.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the standard includes a classification system (see EN ISO 10874) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

This European Standard specifies the maximum accepted tolerances on the dimensions and distortions in pattern, of rugs, runners, carpet tiles and wall-to-wall carpet.
NOTE   These tolerances do not affect the functional characteristics of the floor covering.

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of floor coverings based on polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof, on jute or polyester backing or on polyester felt with polyvinyl chloride backing, supplied in either tile or roll form.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice the standard includes a classification system (see EN 685) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.