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
Current Stage
98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
Start Date
05-Apr-2024
Due Date
10-Apr-2024
Completion Date
05-Apr-2024

Relations

Effective Date
01-Jun-2015
Effective Date
01-Sep-2014

Overview

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 - Plywood Specifications is a leading European Standard published by CEN, defining the essential requirements for plywood panels. The standard covers both general purpose (non-structural) and structural plywood usage, detailing classification systems based on bending properties. EN 636 applies to all plywood varieties, including overlaid and coated plywood, with exceptions for overlay/coating processes and treatments related to biological durability enhancement. The standard provides critical guidance for specifiers, manufacturers, and end-users in construction, interior design, and industrial applications-ensuring safe and reliable use in dry, humid, and exterior environments.

Key Topics

  • Scope and Definitions: The standard is harmonized with EN 313-2 and covers all plywood intended for building, furniture, and other uses, referencing EN 13986 for construction applications.
  • Classification System: Plywood is categorized using codes that reflect its suitability for different moisture conditions and its intended use:
    • EN 636-1: For dry conditions
    • EN 636-2: For humid conditions
    • EN 636-3: For exterior conditions
  • Structural vs. Non-Structural Applications: Plywood is specifically marked for either structural (S) or general purpose/non-structural (NS) use.
  • Labelling Requirements: To ensure product traceability and correct installation, the standard mandates clear and permanent product labelling, including:
    • Standard reference (EN 636)
    • Intended use condition code (1, 2, or 3)
    • Application type ("S" or "NS")
    • Commercial or botanical wood species name
  • Product Properties: EN 636 sets requirements for core mechanical and physical properties. However, it clarifies that the stated values are not intended for structural design calculations, referencing other standards for characteristic values (e.g., EN 12369-2, EN 789).
  • Biological Durability Guidance: While EN 636 does not directly cover biological durability enhancements or treatments, it provides guidance on use classes for biological attack based on EN 335, ensuring end-users assess the risk of fungi, moulds, wood-boring insects, and marine organisms.

Applications

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 is widely applicable in the construction and joinery sectors, as well as for general manufacturing where plywood is utilized. Key applications include:

  • Construction Industry:
    • Floor, roof, and wall sheathing
    • Concrete formwork panels
    • External and internal cladding (using appropriate plywood classes for environmental exposure)
  • Furniture & Interior Joinery:
    • Cabinetry, shelving, and partitions
    • Decorative paneling and fittings
  • Transport & Vehicle Building:
    • Flooring panels in vehicles, packaging crates, and other industrial uses
  • Marine and Exterior Works: When using plywood rated for exterior or humid conditions, as outlined by use class and suitability guidance.

By standardizing classification and marking requirements, EN 636 supports proper specification, handling, and safe use across multiple environments and regulatory frameworks in Europe.

Related Standards

For full compliance and optimal plywood specification, the following related European standards should be considered:

  • EN 313-2: Specifies definitions and general characteristics of plywood.
  • EN 13986: Formal requirements for wood-based panels used in construction under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
  • EN 12369-2: Characteristic values for structural plywood used in engineering calculations.
  • EN 335: Provides use classes for biological risk relevant to wood and wood-based products.
  • CEN/TS 1099: Additional technical guidance on biological durability and preservation treatment needs.
  • EN 789, EN 1058, ENV 1156: Test methods and approaches for determining structural properties and characteristic values.

EN 636 ensures that plywood products on the market meet rigorous European quality and safety benchmarks, facilitating confident use in both structural and non-structural capacities.

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SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014

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Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Plywood - Specifications". This standard covers: 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.

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.

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 79.060.10 - Plywood. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 636:2013+A1:2015, SIST EN 636:2013. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

SIST EN 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011; Standardization Mandates: M/113. 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 636:2013/kFprA1:2014 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
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
...

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