BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

635-2:1995
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Plywood —
Classification by
surface appearance —
Part 2: Hardwood

The European Standard EN 635-2:1995 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 79.060.10
BS EN 635-2:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical

Committee B/541, Wood based panels, upon which the following bodies were
represented:

APA/Engineered Wood Association

Association of British Plywood and Veneer Manufacturers
British Woodworking Federation
Council of the Forest Industries of British Columbia
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Finnish Plywood International
Flat Roofing Contractors’ Advisory Board
Forestry Commission
Furniture Industry Research Association
Institution of Structural Engineers
Local Authority Organizations
Mineral Bonded Board Products Federation
National Federation of Roofing Contractors
National House-Building Council
National Panel Products Association
Royal Institute of British Architects
Structural Board Association
Timber Research and Development Association
Timber Trade Federation
Wood Panel Industries Federation
Zurich Municipal Building Guarantee
Co-opted members

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Board for
Building and Civil Engineering,
was published under the
authority of the Standards Board
and comes into effect on Amendments issued since publication
15 December 1995

© BSI 07-1999
Amd. No. Date Comments

9124 June 1996 Indicated by a sideline in the margin

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference B/541
Draft for comment 92/114811 DC

ISBN 0 580 24769 4

 BS EN 635-2:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 635-2 3
List of references Inside back cover

© BSI 07-1999 i
BS EN 635-2:1995

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee B/541 and is
the English language version of EN 635-2:1995 Plywood — Classification by
surface appearance — Part 2: Hardwood, published by the European Committee
for Standardization (CEN). EN 635-2 was produced as a result of international
discussions in which the United Kingdom took an active part.
BS EN 635-1, BS EN 635-2 and BS EN 635-3 together supersede BS 6566-6:1985,
which will be withdrawn in accordance with CEN provisions within 6 months of
completion of the full package of standards covering plywood and related test
methods. These standards are:
EN 310 EN 325
EN 313-1 EN 635-1
EN 313-2 EN 635-2
EN 314-1 EN 635-3
EN 314-2 EN 636-1
EN 315 EN 636-2
EN 322 EN 636-3
EN 323 EN 1072
EN 324-1 EN 1084
EN 324-2

The method of classification used in BS EN 635-2 and BS EN 635-3 is similar to

that of BS 6566-6:1985. But although the appearance classes in BS EN 635-2 and
BS EN 635-3 are identified as E, I, II, III and IV, these classes do not correspond
exactly to the appearance classes E, I, II, III and IV of BS 6566-6. The BS EN 635
standards are thus not technically equivalent to BS 6566-6.
Cross-reference
Publication referred to Corresponding British Standard

EN 635-1:1994 BS EN 635 Plywood — Classification by surface

appearance
Part 1:1995 General
NOTE EN 635-2 makes informative reference to EN 636-1, EN 636-2 and EN 636-3 which are
currently in preparation.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 07-1999
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 635-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 1995
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 79.060.10

Descriptors: Wood board, plywood, deciduous timber, classifications, appearance, defects

English version

Plywood — Classification by surface appearance —

Part 2: Hardwood

Contreplaqué — Classification selon l’aspect Sperrholz — Klassifizierung nach dem

des faces — Aussehen der Oberfläche —
Partie 2: Bois feuillus Teil 2: Laubholz

ｗｗｗ．ｂｚｆｘｗ．ｃｏｍ
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1995-04-14. CEN members
are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists 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
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national bodies of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1995 All rights of reproduction and communication in any form and by any means reserved in all
countries to CEN and its members
Ref. No. EN 635-2:1995 E
EN 635-2:1995

Foreword Contents
This European Standard has been prepared by the Page
Technical Committee CEN/TC 112, Wood-based Foreword 2
panels, of which the secretariat is held by DIN.
1 Scope 3
This standard is one of a series of standards for the
2 Normative references 3
classification of plywood by surface appearance. The
other Parts of this series are listed in clause 2 and 3 Classification by surface appearance 3
Annex A. 3.1 Appearance classes 3
This European Standard shall be given the status of 3.2 Permissible characteristics and defects 3
a national standard, either by publication of an Annex A (informative) Bibliography 7
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
November 1995, and conflicting national standards Table 1 — Classification according to
characteristics inherent in wood 4
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 1995.
Table 2 — Classification according to
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
manufacturing defects 6
Regulations, the following countries are bound to
implement this European Standard: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

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2 © BSI 07-1999
 EN 635-2:1995

1 Scope 3 Classification by surface appearance

This European Standard specifies the nature and
limits of characteristics inherent in wood and
manufacturing defects enabling the visual
assessment of the plywood for allocation to an
appearance class. This classification is a
contribution to assessing the finishing suitability of
plywood.
This Part of EN 635 applies to plywood, the surface
veneers of which are made from hardwood1) species.
It does not apply to overlaid panels.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or
undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited
at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to or revisions
of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by
amendment or revision. For undated references the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
3.1 Appearance classes
Assessment of characteristics and defects for
determination of appearance class shall be carried
out in accordance with EN 635-1. Surface
classification shall be based on the permissible
characteristics and defects within each of the
appearance classes as specified in 3.2.
NOTE Guidance on selection of finishing for each appearance
class is given in ENV 635-4.
3.2 Permissible characteristics and defects
Each surface shall be individually assigned to one of
the appearance classes E, I, II, III, IV, as defined by
the permissible characteristics and defects
indicated in Table 1 and Table 2.

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EN 635-1, Plywood — Classification by surface
appearance — Part 1: General.

1)
In English, this means conventionally broadleaved species.

© BSI 07-1999 3
 3.2.1 Classification according to characteristics inherent in wood
4

EN 635-2:1995
Table 1 — Classification according to characteristics inherent in wood
Categories of characteristics Appearance class

E I II III IV

3.2.1.1 Pin knotsa Practically 3/m2 permitted Permitted

absent
3.2.1.2 Sound intergrown knots Permitted up to an individual diameter of:
15 mm provided their 35 mm 50 mm Permitted, but see note
cumulative diameter does
not exceed 30 mm/m2
Such knots may have splits provided they are
very slight slight
3.2.1.3 Unsound or non-adhering Permitted up to an individual diameter of: Permitted, but see note
knots and knot holes
6 mm if filled and up to a 5 mm if unrepaired, 40 mm
number of 2/m2 25 mm if filled and up
to a number of 3/m2
3.2.1.4 Splits Open Permitted if less than:
1/10
of panel length
up to an individual width of:
1/3
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1/3 Permitted, but see note

3 mm 5 mm 20mm
and up to a number of:
3/m 3/m 3/m
of panel width
if properly filled if unrepaired, or
unlimited if all filled
Closed Permitted
© BSI 07-1999
 Table 1 — Classification according to characteristics inherent in wood
© BSI 07-1999

Categories of characteristics Appearance class

E I II III IV

3.2.1.5 Abnormalities due to insects, Not permitted Not permitted Marks of parasitic plants not permitted. Insects Permitted, but
marine borers and parasitic plants and marine borer holes permitted up to a: see note
diameter of 3 mm width of 15 mm and a
vertically to the plane length of 60 mm up
of the panel up to 3/m2
to 10/m2
3.2.1.6 Inbark Not permitted Permitted up to a width of: Permitted, but
5 mm if properly filled 25 mm see note

3.2.1.7 Irregularities in the Practically Permitted Permitted

structure of the wood absent if very slight if slight
3.2.1.8 Discoloration which is not Permitted if low contrast Permitted

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wood destroying
3.2.1.9 Fungal decay, which is wood Not permitted Not permitted
destroying
3.2.1.10 Other characteristics Practically To be considered under the category which they most closely resemble
absent
NOTE Characteristics inherent to the wood are permitted provided that they do not impair the serviceability of the panel.
a
Pin knots: sound intergrown knots of no more than 3 mm diameter.

EN 635-2:1995
5
 3.2.2 Classification according to manufacturing defects
6

EN 635-2:1995
Table 2 — Classification according to manufacturing defects
Categories of defects Appearance class
E I II III IV
3.2.2.1 Open joints Not permitted Not permitted Permitted up to a width of:
3 mm 5 mm 25 mm
and up to a number of:
1/m 2/m unlimited
of panel width with joints
filled if more than 1 mm in unfilled unfilled
width
3.2.2.2 Overlaps Not permitted Permitted up to a number Permitted up to a Permitted but
of 1/m2 and up to 100 mm number of 2/m2 see note
length
3.2.2.3 Blisters Not permitted
3.2.2.4 Hollows, imprints and bumps Not permitted Permitted if slight Permitted
3.2.2.5 Roughness Not permitted Permitted if slight Permitted
3.2.2.6 Sanding through Not permitted Permitted up to an extent of:

3.2.2.7 Glue penetration Not permitted Permitted:

ｗｗｗ．ｂｚｆｘｗ．ｃｏｍ
1%
of panel surface
5 % (but see note)

if slight and occasional up to an extent of 5 % Permitted but

of the panel surface see note
3.2.2.8 Foreign particles Not permitted Ferrous particles not permitted
3.2.2.9 Repairs: Practically Permitted if properly made and tightly filled up to a number of:
a) patches; without defects unlimited
3/m2 6/m2
b) shims; Not permitted Not permitted Permitted within the limits specified in the unlimited
c) synthetic fillers. categories
3.2.2.10 Defects at the edges of the Practically Permitted up to: Permitted but
panel due to sanding or sawing without defects 2 mm 5 mm see note
from the edge
© BSI 07-1999

3.2.2.11 Other characteristics or defects To be considered under the category which they most closely resemble
NOTE Manufacturing defects are permitted provided that they do not impair the serviceability of the panel.
 EN 635-2:1995

Annex A (informative)
Bibliography
EN 313-1, Plywood — Classification and terminology — Part 1: Classification.
EN 313-2, Plywood — Classification and terminology — Part 2: Terminology.
EN 635-1, Plywood — Classification by surface appearance — Part 1: General.
EN 635-2, Plywood — Classification by surface appearance — Part 2: Hardwood.
ENV 635-4, Guideline — Plywood — Classification by surface appearance — Part 4: Parameters of ability
for finishing2).
EN 636-1, Plywood — Specifications — Part 1: Requirements for plywood for use in dry conditions.
EN 636-2, Plywood — Specifications — Part 2: Requirements for plywood for use in humid conditions.
EN 636-3, Plywood Specifications — Part 3: Requirements for plywood for use in exterior conditions.

2)
At present at the draft stage.

© BSI 07-1999 7
8 blank
 BS EN 635-2:1995

List of references

See national foreword.

© BSI 07-1999
BS EN
635-2:1995
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