Work on the new harmonised standard EN 13986 “Wood based panels for use in construction – characteristics, evaluation of conformity and marking” is complete and the standard has been accepted by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) for formal publication.

This means that CE marking for wood based panels will soon be available for manufacturers and the earliest date for implementation could be March 2003.

In the UK CE marking is not mandatory but, from March 2004, other European countries may make CE marking compulsory for wood based panels coming into their markets.

EN 13986 covers the evaluation of conformity in respect of reaction to fire and is for panels in structural and non-structural uses, both internally and externally.

Structural elements

The attestation of conformity (AoC) system applicable to wood based panels for structural elements in internal and external applications (other than materials for which the reaction to fire performance is susceptible to change during the production process through the addition of chemical substances) is 2+ – certification of factory production control with surveillance.

The system procedures include the involvement of a notified body to certify the manufacturer’s factory production control (FPC) system and the issue of an EC Certificate of Conformity for the system.

For the initial inspection, the notified body will be interested in the parameters relating only to the following characteristics:

  • Euroclass characteristics for reaction to fire

  • Strength (tension, compression, bending and shear, including punching shear)

  • Stiffness

  • Impact resistance

  • Bonding strength

  • Swelling in thickness

For initial type testing, samples representative of each product type are selected by the manufacturer from each production facility. These samples are tested by the manufacturer to the requirements detailed in the relevant product standards.

Where an improvement in the reaction to fire classification results from a clearly identifiable stage in the production process, AoC system 1 applies.

Wood based panels for non-structural elements are subject to AoC system 1, 3 or 4 procedures, depending on the fire classification. In the case of AoC system 1, the taking of samples and type testing is the responsibility of the notified body, leading to the issue of an EC Certificate of Conformity for the product.

The initial type testing of wood based panels based on EN 13986 may be carried out as soon as the European standard becomes available. Before affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer is required to prepare an EC Declaration of Conformity, based on the initial type test results, the EC Certificate of Conformity and compliance with the Directive, in all respects.

Notified body

In addition, the notified body is required to carry out surveillance of the FPC system on a regular basis. For surveillance also, the notified body will be interested only in the parameters related to the above noted characteristics of the product.

In all cases, the manufacturer must operate a FPC system in accordance with EN 13986 covering the production of wood based panels carrying the CE mark.

BSI Product Certification has Kitemark schemes for wood based panels to European Standards BS EN 312 Particleboards and BS EN 622 Fibreboards. The Kitemark certification requires regular audit testing following type testing of the product and regular assessment of the Quality Management System to BS EN ISO 9002.

The Construction Products Directive (CPD) allows for a quality system which meets the requirements of the EN ISO 9000 family of standards and which addresses the requirements of the harmonised standards, as satisfying the FPC requirements.

As a testing and certification body already pre-notified under the Construction Products Directive, BSI Product Services has one of the broadest scopes of any notified body. Where BSI Product Services carries out initial type testing, either in its capacity as a notified body or directly on behalf of the manufacturer, a Certificate of Initial Type Test can be provided, in addition to a BSI Test Report. Each Certificate of Initial Type Test identifies the product type and the European standard to which conformity has been determined.

Testing of product samples for Kitemark certification is normally carried out at BSI`s own test laboratories.

For more details, contact BSI Product Services tel: 01442 278607; e-mail: product.services@bsi-global.com.