EN 14978-2016 pdf download.Laminate floor coverings – Elements with acrylic based surface layer, electron beam cured – Specifications, requirements and test methods.
and levels of use, to indicate where laminate floor coverings will give satisfactory service and to encourage the consumer to make an informed choice. It also specifies requirements for marking and packaging.
Laminate floor coverings are considered for domestic and commercial levels of use, e.g. for use in domestic kitchens. This standard (Joes not specify requirements related to areas that are subject to frequent wetting, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or saunas.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part. are normatively referenced in this document and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition ol the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 322, Wood-based panels – Determination of moisture content
EN 424, Resilient floor coverings – Determination of the effect of simulated movement ofa furniture leg EN 425:2002, Resilient and laminate floor coverings – Castor chair test
EN 438 (all parts). High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates)
EN 13329:20 16, Laminate floor coverings — Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins — Specifications requirements and test methods
EN 15468:2016, Laminate floor coverings — Elements with directly applied printing and resin surface layer — Specifications, requirements and test methods
EN 16094, Laminate floor coverings – Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance
CEN/TS 16354, Laminate floor coverings – Underlays – Specification, requirements and test methods
EN ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes – Determination of gloss value at 200, 600 and 850 (iSO 2813)
EN ISO 10874, Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings- Classification (ISO 10874)
ISO 24334, Laminate floor coverings — Determination of locking strength for mechanically assembled panels
ISO 24336. Laminate floor coverings — Determination of thickness swelling after partial immersion in water
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13329:2016 and the following apply.
3.1
laminate floor covering
rigid floor covering, typically in a plank or tile format, with a multiple layer structure: eg. backer, substrate and decor
Note ito entry: The planks/tiles have worked edges that allow the product to be joined together to form a larger integral unit. The product may vary in surface texture and gloss level.
Note 2 to entry: Laminate flooring does not include products having a resilient, stone, textile, wood, leather or metal top surfacing material(s).
3.2
acrylic based surface layer
upper decorative layer intended to be the visible side when the floor is installed consisting of resins which are hardened using beams (normally acrylate, methacrylate or similar) and impregnated and surfaced decorative materials (normally paper), which all together are hardened through the application of a sufficient dose of electron beams and constant pressure
Note 1 to entry: The surface layer produced with this technique is called ‘electronbeam pressed laminate (En)’. The surface layer is bonded to a substrate (usually a wood•based panel).
3.3
substrate
core material of the laminate floor covering
Note I to entry: It is generally a particleboard, as defined in EN 309, or a dry process fibreboard (Ml)F) as defined In EN 316 ora so called High Density Fibreboard (HDF) which is a MDF-board with a density  800 kg/mi.
3.4
backer
layer opposite to the surface layer used to balance and stabilize the product
Note ito entry: The hacker is generally made of impregnated papers.
3.5
underlay
layer placed between the laminate floor covering and the subfloor to impart specific properties
4 Characteristics
Laminate floor coverings according to this standard shall conform to the general requirements given in EN 13329:2016, Table 1, with the following modifications:
— For special applications, such as decorative pattern effects, tighter tolerances shall be permitted if necessary.
— Tolerances of the tongue and groove shall be such that when, for the purposes of testing, the elements are assembled without glue, the maximum permissible opening and height difference values are not exceeded.
— To determine the capability of laminate floor coverings to withstand ambient humidity variations, a laboratory test in controlled conditions shall be made.
5 Classification
5.1 General
Prior to classification testing, the specular gloss level of the laminate floor covering shall be determined in accordance with EN ISO 2813. with a detection angle of 60°. A distinction shall be made between two specular gloss levels of the surface layer:
— common gloss level: specular gloss level <85 units;
— high gloss level: specular gloss level  85 units.
5.2 Floor coverings with a common gloss level
Laminate floor coverings conforming to this standard with a common gloss level shall be classified as being suitable for different levels of use according to the requirements specified in EN 13329:2016, Table 2, when tested by the methods given therein. Classification shall conform to the scheme specified in EN ISO 10874.EN 14978-2016 pdf download.