Standards and Performance Characteristics for Specific OSB Applications

The standard that classifies OSB is EN 300. Click here for the other main standards relevant to OSB panels.

This APA guide takes the hard work out of finding out which standards you need to comply with, for different elements of your building project. It identifies essential characteristics like bending strength and those which depend on the application, such as air permeability. Simply select from the list below.

To check the testing standard requirements that manufacturers carry out before creating the Declaration of Performance (DoP) on your OSB panel, view here.

• For floors, walls and roofs and non-structural applications – what do I need to comply with?
  • Bending strength
    EN 310 specifies how to determine bending strength and stiffness
    EN 326-1 explains how to record and present test results
  • Bending stiffness
    EN 310 specifies how to determine bending strength and stiffness
    EN 326-1 explains how to record and present test results
  • Residual bending strength
    EN 321 specifies how to determine moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions
    EN 310 specifies how to determine bending strength and stiffness
    EN 326-1 explains how to record and present test results
  • Internal bond
    EN 319 specifies how to determine the internal bond
    EN 326-1 explains how to record and present test results
  • Residual internal bond
    EN 319 specifies how to determine the internal bond
    EN 321 specifies how to determine the moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions
    For a boil test, EN 1087-1 provides a test method for evaluating bond quality
  • Durability in terms of swelling in thickness (not relevant for internal)
    EN 317 specifies how to determine swelling by thickness
    EN 326-1 explains how to record and present test results
  • Durability in terms of moisture resistance (not relevant for internal)
    EN 321 specifies how to determine moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions
    EN 1087-1 provides a test method for evaluating bond quality
  • Release of formaldehyde (Class E1)
    EN 717-1 specifies how to determine formaldehyde emission
    EN 120 specifies how to determine formaldehyde content
    EN ISO 12460-5 specifies how to determine formaldehyde content
  • Biological durability
    EN 335 defines the Use Classes representing different service situations
  • Content of pentachlorophenol in your materials
    CEN/TR 14823 specifies how to determine the pentachlorophenol content
  • Reaction to fire (except non-structural)
    EN 13501-1 provides a procedure for classifying construction products according to their reactions to fire tests
    EN 13986 specifies relevant characteristics and test methods for wood-based panels
  • Water vapour permeability (except non-structural)
    EN ISO 12572 specifies how to determine water vapour resistance
    EN 13986 specifies relevant characteristics and test methods for wood-based panels
• What other essentials do I need to check for structural use?
  Strength and stiffness for structural use
  EN 789 specifies how to determine some mechanical properties
  EN 1058 specifies how to determine five percentile values for mechanical properties and 50 percentile values for physical properties from test data
  EN 12369-1 provides characteristic values for use in design

  Mechanical durability
  EN 1156 specifies how to determine duration of load and creep factors
  EN 1995-1 explains how to design of timber structures

• Are there further structural checks I need to do on floors and roofs?
  Strength and stiffness under point load
  EN 1195 specifies how to determine the performance of structural floor decking
  EN 12871 specifies how to determine performance characteristics for panels used in floors, walls and roofs

  Impact resistance for structural use
  EN 1195 specifies how to determine the performance of structural floor decking
  EN 12871 specifies how to determine performance characteristics for panels used in floors, walls and roofs
  EN 596 explains how to test for soft body impact on timber framed walls

• Wall sheathing is being installed as part of my project – is there anything specific I need to test it for?
  Impact resistance for structural use
  EN 1195 specifies how to determine the performance of structural floor decking
  EN 12871 specifies how to determine performance characteristics for panels used in floors, walls and roofs
  EN 596 explains how to test for soft body impact on timber framed walls
• Acoustic sound is an important part of my building project – what do I need to account for?
  Airborne sound insulation
  EN 13986 specifies relevant characteristics and test methods for wood-based panels

  Sound absorption
  EN ISO 354 specifies how to measure sound absorption
  EN 13986 specifies relevant characteristics and test methods for wood-based panels

• How do I determine the thermal resistance of an OSB panel?
  EN 12664 specifies a method to determine thermal resistance
  EN 13986 specifies relevant characteristics and test methods for wood-based panels
• I am installing industrial shelving and other ‘non-construction’ features – what standards do I need to meet?
  Strength and stiffness for structural use
  EN 789 specifies how to determine some mechanical properties
  EN 1058 specifies how to determine five percentile values for mechanical properties and 50 percentile values for physical properties from test data
  EN 12369-1 provides characteristic values for use in design

  Strength and stiffness under point load
  EN 1195 specifies how to determine the performance of structural floor decking
  EN 12871 specifies how to determine performance characteristics for panels used in floors, walls and roofs

  Impact resistance for structural use
  EN 1195 specifies how to determine the performance of structural floor decking
  EN 12871 specifies how to determine performance characteristics for panels used in floors, walls and roofs
  EN 596 explains how to test for soft body impact on timber framed walls