Overview
ISO 24011:2009 specifies the characteristics and requirements for plain and decorative linoleum supplied as tiles or rolls. It defines what constitutes linoleum (natural linoleum cement plus cork/wood flour, pigments and fillers), excludes PVC- or rubber-based floor coverings, and provides a classification system by intensity of use so consumers and specifiers can choose the right resilient floor covering for domestic, commercial or light‑industrial environments.
Key topics and requirements
- Identification: Linoleum is identified by disintegration in 0.5 mol/L KOH/methanol and by determining linoleum cement content and ash residue. Minimum linoleum cement: 30%; maximum inorganic filler (ash): 50% (ISO 26985).
- Dimensional and thickness tolerances: Requirements for rolls (length/width) and tiles (side length, squareness, straightness) reference ISO 24341/24342. Overall and surface layer thickness tolerances are specified (see ISO 24346, ISO 24340).
- Mass per unit area: Average within ±10% of nominal (ISO 23997).
- Indentation and residual indentation: Limits depend on nominal thickness (ISO 24343‑1).
- Flexibility: Mandrel bending test requirements by nominal thickness (ISO 24344), e.g. 2.0 mm with 30 mm mandrel, 4.0 mm with 60 mm mandrel - no cracking allowed.
- Performance tests: Castor chair resistance (ISO 4918), colour fastness to artificial light (EN ISO 105‑B02) - or ΔE limits per ASTM F1515 with pre‑conditioning to remove “stove yellowing.”
- Marking and labelling: Packaging must show ISO 24011:2009, manufacturer ID, product name, colour/pattern and batch/roll number, class/symbol, roll dimensions or tile dimensions and package area.
- Optional properties (Annex A): electrical resistance (EN 1081), electrostatic propensity (EN 1815), chemical/stain resistance (ISO 26987), cigarette resistance (EN 1399), and fire/radiant tests (ISO 9239‑1, ISO 11925‑2, ASTM E648/E662).
Applications and users
ISO 24011 is used by:
- Manufacturers to design, test and label linoleum products to recognized tolerances and performance classes.
- Architects, interior designers and specifiers to select linoleum suitable for specific traffic intensities (domestic, commercial, light industrial).
- Contractors and installers to verify product conformity prior to installation.
- Laboratories and QA teams conducting standardized tests for thickness, flexibility, indentation, colour fastness and cement/ash content.
- Procurement teams requiring clear product classification and labelling for tendering and compliance.
Keywords: ISO 24011, linoleum specification, resilient floor coverings, flooring standards, linoleum classification, linoleum testing.
Related standards
Commonly referenced standards include ISO 10874 (classification), ISO 26985 (identification, cement/ash), ISO 24340/24341/24342/24346 (dimensions and thickness), ISO 4918 (castor chair), EN ISO 105‑B02 and ASTM F1515 (lightfastness), plus ASTM/EN fire and electrical tests noted in Annex A.
