Overview
EN ISO 12543-1:2021 (Glass in building - Laminated glass and laminated safety glass - Part 1) defines the vocabulary and descriptions of component parts used for laminated glass and laminated safety glass in building applications. Published by CEN/ISO, this part establishes common terms and component definitions to ensure consistent communication across design, fabrication, testing and regulatory work. It supersedes the 2011 edition and aligns terminology across the ISO 12543 series.
Key topics
The standard focuses on clear, standardized definitions and component descriptions rather than test methods. Major technical topics include:
- Core definitions: laminated glass, laminated safety glass (classification linked to soft-body impact standards).
- Types and performances:
- Fire-resistant laminated glass (with fire-resistant interlayers)
- Laminated glass with acoustic properties
- Symmetrical vs asymmetrical laminated constructions
- Flat and curved laminated glass
- Component parts:
- Interlayer (functions as adhesive and can provide impact, fire, acoustic or solar control)
- Plastic glazing sheet material, films/folios, plates, wires, grids
- Encapsulated materials (non-adhesive items contained by interlayers)
- Lamination processes:
- Folio lamination (solid film, heat and pressure)
- Cast-in-place lamination (liquid poured and cured chemically or by UV)
- Quality/visual descriptors:
- Delamination, bubbles, haze, cloudiness
- References to related parts of the series (ISO 12543-2 and ISO 12543-3) for performance classification and laminated safety glass specifics.
Applications
EN ISO 12543-1:2021 is used to:
- Standardize product specifications, tender documents and technical drawings
- Clarify terminology in manufacturing, inspection and certification reports
- Support procurement and contract language for façades, balustrades, roofs and structural glazing
- Aid compliance with building regulations where laminated or safety glazing is specified
- Improve communication between architects, engineers, fabricators and test laboratories
Who uses this standard
- Architects and façade/structural engineers specifying glazing systems
- Glass and interlayer manufacturers and laminators
- Test laboratories, certification bodies and building authorities
- Specification writers, procurement teams and safety assessors
Related standards
- ISO 12543-2 - Laminated safety glass (performance/classification)
- ISO 12543-3 - Laminated glass (construction and product aspects)
Keywords: EN ISO 12543-1:2021, laminated glass, laminated safety glass, interlayer, glass in building, vocabulary, component parts, lamination process, folio lamination, cast-in-place.
