Engineered Wood Flooring EN 14342 System 3 Certification

What is engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring is a type of wooden flooring made by laminating panels of different tree species in alternating layers. It is generally divided into three structures:

Two-layer engineered wood flooring: Consists of a surface layer and a base layer. The surface layer is typically a solid wood veneer, while the base layer can be solid wood or plywood, etc.

Three-layer engineered wood flooring: A commonly used type in home decoration, made by laminating three layers of solid wood veneers in alternating layers. The surface layer is composed of high-quality hardwood strips, such as oak, beech, oak, and ash; the core layer is made of common softwood strips, such as pine and poplar; the bottom layer is a rotary-cut veneer, such as poplar, birch, and pine.

Multi-layer engineered wood flooring: Uses multi-layer plywood as the base material, with hardwood strips or veneers as the surface layer, and is formed by hot pressing with urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive in alternating layers. Its stability is better than that of three-layer engineered wood flooring.

EN 14342 Solid Wood Flooring Certification Scope:

Covers various types of wooden flooring and parquet flooring, including solid wood flooring, multi-layer engineered wood flooring, and three-layer engineered wood flooring, but does not apply to bamboo flooring, laminate flooring, wooden flooring products specifically manufactured to enhance tactile sensation and identification, or products made from plants such as aloe, cork, or coconut.

CE Certification for Engineered Wood Flooring

As a mandatory CE certification for export to Europe, it is generally based on whether the product contains flame retardants to choose System 1 or System 3 for certification. Since engineered wood flooring typically does not contain flame retardants, it is usually certified under System 3, which does not require factory inspection.

For the EN 14342 System 3 CE certification application process, refer to the following steps:

1. Determine the product type to be certified, including thickness and other specifications, and submit the application.

2. Identify the European product directive. Engineered wood flooring must comply with the new EU Construction Products Regulation CPR 305/2011/EU.

3. Identify the European harmonized standard. Engineered wood flooring must comply with the harmonized standard EN 14342.

4. Conduct testing and evaluation according to the CPR directive and harmonized standard EN 14342. Engineered wood flooring is generally certified under System 3.

5. Obtain the test report and certificate issued by an EU-notified body (testing and certification under System 3 are conducted by a notified laboratory).

6. Issue the Declaration of Performance.

7. Affix the CE mark with the notified body's identification number on the product packaging.

8. Freely sell the product in the European market.