EN 13256:2014/FprA1
(Amendment)Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures
This European Standard specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of tunnels and underground structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics.
The intended use of these geotextiles or geotextile-related products is to protect geosynthetic barriers used in tunnels and underground structures.
This standard is not applicable to geosynthetic barriers, as defined in EN ISO 10318.
This standard provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the product to this European Standard and for factory production control procedures.
Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte Eigenschaften für die Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in Tiefbauwerken
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans la construction de tunnels et de structures souterraines
Geotekstilije in geotekstilijam sorodni izdelki - Značilnosti, ki se zahtevajo pri gradnji tunelov in podzemeljskih delov
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 189 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 189/WG 1 - ad hoc group Asphalt reinforcement
- Current Stage
- 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 12-Nov-2014
- Due Date
- 25-Oct-2015
- Completion Date
- 12-Nov-2014
Relations
- Effective Date
- 05-Dec-2014
- Effective Date
- 12-Feb-2014
Overview
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is a European Standard developed by CEN that defines the essential characteristics and test methods for geotextiles and geotextile-related products used specifically in the construction of tunnels and underground structures. The standard focuses on products designed to protect geosynthetic barriers, ensuring their performance and durability in challenging subsurface environments. The scope excludes geosynthetic barriers themselves, as defined in EN ISO 10318.
EN 13256 also establishes procedures for assessment and verification of constancy of performance, including quality control during manufacturing and factory production control. Compliance with this standard supports alignment with relevant EU Directives and facilitates market access within the European Economic Area for manufacturers of geotextiles intended for underground construction.
Key Topics
- Relevant Characteristics: The standard specifies properties that are critical for geotextiles in tunnel and underground settings, including mechanical durability, resistance to chemical and biological attack, and protection capability for underlying geosynthetic barriers.
- Durability Testing: Requirements for demonstrating resistance to weathering, mechanical stress, and chemical exposure over anticipated service lifetimes (e.g., 5, 25, 50, or 100 years) are detailed. Products must pass initial and periodic durability tests to remain compliant.
- Assessment and Verification: The document outlines procedures for type testing, factory production control, and routine verification. Manufacturers must perform both initial and periodic testing, especially after significant product or process changes.
- Use of Rework Material: Guidelines for the use of recycled or reworked materials are established, specifying allowable proportions and testing requirements to ensure quality is maintained.
- Product Information and Labelling: The standard mandates clear communication on predicted durability, required covering times post-installation, and environmental limitations (e.g., applicable soil pH and temperature ranges).
Applications
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products conforming to EN 13256:2014/FprA1 play a crucial role in:
- Tunnel Construction: Acting as protective layers over geosynthetic barriers, geotextiles help prevent puncture and abrasion during placement of concrete or backfill material.
- Underground Structures: Use extends to any subsurface civil engineering works where geosynthetic barriers are deployed for functions such as waterproofing, drainage, or containment.
- Service Life Extension: By ensuring the durability and integrity of underlying barriers, compliant geotextiles increase the lifespan of tunnels and underground installations.
- Infrastructure Reliability: Proper selection and verification of geotextiles reduce the risk of barrier failure, water ingress, or soil migration issues, supporting the safe, long-term operation of underground structures.
Related Standards
Consideration of related and referenced standards is essential for full compliance and optimal product performance:
- EN ISO 10318 - Geosynthetics - defines geosynthetic barriers and terminology, referenced for clarity on scope.
- EN 12226, EN 12447, EN 12224, EN ISO 13438 - Test methodologies for the evaluation of durability, including mechanical and chemical resistance.
- EN ISO 3696 - Specifies water quality requirements for testing procedures.
- Relevant EU Directives - Compliance with EN 13256 aids conformity with construction product regulations within the EU.
Practical Value
Implementing EN 13256:2014/FprA1 enhances the reliability, safety, and longevity of tunnels and underground structures by:
- Providing clear criteria for selecting, verifying, and installing geotextiles.
- Reducing maintenance and repair costs by ensuring long-term barrier protection.
- Supporting harmonization of quality and performance requirements across Europe.
- Enabling manufacturers to demonstrate due diligence and regulatory compliance, facilitating market acceptance.
For engineers, contractors, and manufacturers working in tunnel construction and underground civil works, adherence to EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is essential to ensure robust, durable, and regulation-compliant infrastructure.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard

Control Union Certifications
Global certification for agriculture and sustainability.
Hohenstein Institut
Textile testing and certification.

Bureau Veritas Bangladesh
Bureau Veritas certification services in Bangladesh.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of tunnels and underground structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics. The intended use of these geotextiles or geotextile-related products is to protect geosynthetic barriers used in tunnels and underground structures. This standard is not applicable to geosynthetic barriers, as defined in EN ISO 10318. This standard provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the product to this European Standard and for factory production control procedures.
This European Standard specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of tunnels and underground structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics. The intended use of these geotextiles or geotextile-related products is to protect geosynthetic barriers used in tunnels and underground structures. This standard is not applicable to geosynthetic barriers, as defined in EN ISO 10318. This standard provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the product to this European Standard and for factory production control procedures.
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13256:2014+A1:2015, EN 13256:2014. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011; Standardization Mandates: M/107, M/386. 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.
EN 13256:2014/FprA1 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-2014
*HRWHNVWLOLMHLQJHRWHNVWLOLMDPVRURGQLL]GHONL=QDþLOQRVWLNLVH]DKWHYDMRSUL
JUDGQMLWXQHORYLQSRG]HPHOMVNLKGHORY
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the
construction of tunnels and underground structures
Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte Eigenschaften für die
Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in Tiefbauwerken
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans la
construction de tunnels et de structures souterraines
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13256:2014/FprA1
ICS:
59.080.70 Geotekstilije Geotextiles
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
93.060 Gradnja predorov Tunnel construction
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
FINAL DRAFT
EN 13256:2014
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
FprA1
June 2014
ICS 59.080.70
English Version
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics
required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground
structures
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte
requises pour l'utilisation dans la construction de tunnels et Eigenschaften für die Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in
de structures souterraines Tiefbauwerken
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for unique acceptance procedure. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 189.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 13256:2014. 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 13256:2014/FprA1:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents
Page
Foreword .3
1 Modification to Clause 2 .4
2 Modification to Annex B .4
Foreword
This document (EN 13256:2014/FprA1:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 189
“Geosynthetics”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
NOTE Due to fact that the Framework Partnership Agreement between the Commission and CEN & CENELEC is not
signed yet, there are currently no New Approach Consultants in place for 2014. Therefore the provisions of CEN-
CENELEC Guide 15 cannot be met.
This shall not prevent the processing of draft standards nor the offering of harmonized standards to the Commission. In
particular, draft standards can be sent to vote without Consultant assessment.
This note will be removed from the Foreword of the finalized publication.
1 Modification to Clause 2
Add the following reference:
"EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use ― Specification and test methods (ISO 3696)".
2 Modification to Annex B
Replace Annex B with the following:
"
Annex B
(normative)
Durability aspects
B.1 General
B.1.1 Service life
The provisions and assessment methods of this annex are based upon the intended use of geosynthetics, as
specified in the scope of this European Standard, and their foreseen service life in years. They are based
upon the current state of the art, knowledge and experience. The service life refers to the period during which
the geosynthetic retains the required properties of this annex, assuming it was properly installed, used and
maintained.
For a geosynthetic which satisfies the requirements of this annex the service life represents a minimum
indication. The real service life, for normal conditions of use, may turn out to be considerably longer without
major degradation affecting the essential requirements of the works defined in the CPR.
The indicated service life of the geosynthetic cannot be interpreted as a guarantee given by the manufacturer
but should be regarded only as a tool for selecting a product suitable for the anticipated working life.
The tests described in this annex do not allow the determination of reduction factors. The tests described in
this annex are screening tests to show the ability of a product to serve for a certain time. The reference
strength and retained strength of products investigated in this Annex B shall be determined in the same way in
accordance with EN 12226.
B.1.2 Initial and repeat testing of durability
A product shall be submitted to an initial testing of its durability in accordance with this annex.
A product that is unchanged shall be tested again after 5 years. A product is considered unchanged if the raw
material supply, the production technology and the process and stabilization of the product have not been
subject to a significant process change.
If a product has been subject to a significant process change, then it shall be tested in the same manner as a
new product.
A significant process change is defined as any of the following:
a change in the chemical formulation (CAS No);
reduced active ingredient concentration levels of raw materials in the polymer recipe;
substitution of any polymer in the recipe, irrespective of any change in concentration.
Testing of a changed product may be exempted for products with a service life of more than 5 years if the
producer can demonstrate by means of regular assessment, including analyses of the process and of long-
term stabilizers, that the type of active ingredients has remained the same and that the content of these
ingredients is not lower than that in the material used in the initial durability testing.
B.1.3 Use of rework material
Rework material can be used without limitations, if the original raw material meets the requirements of this
annex and no pelletizing is done in the rework process.
If pelletizing is done in the re-work process, rework material from the same production or source can be used,
if the final product meets the requirements of this annex. If the original raw material meets the requirements of
this annex, a maximum of 10 % pelletized rework material is acceptable without further proof.
NOTE Pelletizing is a thermal process whereby the polymer melt coming from an extruder is pressed through a die
plate and cut by knives to ma
...




Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...