PD CEN TS 16368-2014 PDF

Full title and description

STB PD CEN TS 16368-2014 — Lightweight Particleboards. Specifications. This document is the PD (publicly available) / national adoption form of the European Technical Specification CEN/TS 16368:2014. It sets out requirements for uncoated lightweight particleboards intended for use in dry conditions for non-load-bearing applications, typically used in furniture, doors and packaging.

Abstract

CEN/TS 16368:2014 defines the classification and minimum specification requirements for lightweight particleboards having a bulk density below 600 kg/m³. The Technical Specification covers material composition, dimensional and physical characteristics, and limits/criteria for typical performance properties. It excludes extruded particleboards, flaxboards and sandwich constructions. Typical end uses described include non-structural furniture components, interior door cores and packaging boards.

General information

• Status: Published — European Technical Specification (adopted as PD by national bodies).
• Publication date: 30 April 2014 (CEN/TS 16368:2014; national adoptions commonly dated May–July 2014).
• Publisher: CEN (European Committee for Standardization). Published/adopted nationally as PD CEN/TS 16368:2014 by BSI and other national standards bodies.
• ICS / categories: 79.060.20 — Fibre and particle boards.
• Edition / version: CEN/TS 16368:2014 (referenced as PD CEN/TS 16368:2014 in national catalogues; STB prefix denotes a specific national adoption where used).
• Number of pages: Typically 14 pages in PD/British publication (national PDFs may vary between ~12–14 pages).

Scope

This Technical Specification applies to uncoated particleboards with a nominal density below 600 kg/m³ intended for dry, non-load-bearing internal applications. It covers boards that are generally homogeneous in composition and without internal cavities (i.e., not honeycombed or extruded tube-type cores). The document provides requirements for classification, dimensional tolerances and characteristic properties relevant to their intended uses. It explicitly does not apply to extruded particleboards (see EN 14755), flaxboards (see EN 15197) or sandwich panels.

Key topics and requirements

• Density classification and maximum nominal density: boards specified for bulk density under 600 kg/m³.
• Intended use: dry conditions, non-load-bearing applications (furniture, door cores, packaging).
• Material description: uncoated, mostly homogeneous particleboard without internal cavities or sandwich structures.
• Dimensional tolerances and size/thickness classes appropriate for lightweight boards.
• Performance characteristics referenced to established test methods (e.g., bending strength, internal bond, thickness swelling, moisture content) with threshold values or classification levels.
• Exclusions and references to related product-specific standards (extruded boards, flaxboards, sandwich constructions).
• Marking, designation and conformity aspects to allow identification and classification in trade and manufacturing.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers and suppliers of particleboard and panel products; furniture and joinery manufacturers specifying low-density panels for non-structural components; door and interior product manufacturers; packaging designers specifying lightweight cores; test laboratories performing conformity and performance testing; standards and procurement officers referencing product requirements in specifications and tenders.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include EN 14755 (extruded particleboards), EN 15197 (flaxboards), EN 312 (particleboards — specifications for a wider range of particleboards), and test methods such as EN 310 (bending), EN 317 (thickness swelling), EN 319 (internal bond), EN 322/323 (moisture and density), EN 324 series (dimensions), EN 326 series (sampling and inspection) and EN 717 (formaldehyde). National adoptions (PD/ STB/ DIN/BS etc.) mirror the CEN/TS text for local use.

Keywords

lightweight particleboard, low-density particleboard, CEN/TS 16368, PD CEN/TS 16368:2014, uncoated particleboards, dry conditions, non-load-bearing, furniture panels, door cores, packaging boards, density <600 kg/m³

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: CEN/TS 16368:2014 (published nationally as PD CEN/TS 16368:2014 and sometimes prefixed by national codes such as STB) is a European Technical Specification that defines specifications for lightweight, uncoated particleboards for dry, non-load-bearing use.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers classification, material description, dimensional tolerances and basic performance requirements for particleboards with a bulk density below 600 kg/m³ intended for internal, non-structural applications. It excludes extruded particleboards, flaxboards and sandwich constructions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Product manufacturers and suppliers, furniture and door manufacturers, procurement/specification writers, test laboratories and conformity bodies that need standardised minimum requirements for lightweight particleboards.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: CEN/TS 16368:2014 is a published Technical Specification from 2014. Technical Specifications are published when full harmonised standards are not available; users should check national standards catalogues or the relevant national standards body to confirm current status and whether any later revisions, replacements or harmonised EN standards have been issued since 2014.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the family of CEN standards and technical specifications addressing particleboards and wood-based panels (for example EN 312 and related EN test-method standards). National adoptions are published as PD CEN/TS 16368:2014 (or with a national prefix) to make the text directly usable in local markets.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lightweight particleboard, low-density particleboard, uncoated particleboard, non-load-bearing, dry use, CEN/TS 16368, PD CEN/TS 16368:2014.