Overview
EN ISO 26986:2012 (ISO 26986:2010) specifies requirements for resilient floor coverings made from expanded (cushioned) poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) supplied as tiles or rolls. The standard defines required characteristics, test methods and a use-intensity classification system (referencing ISO 10874) that indicates where expanded cushioned PVC floor coverings provide satisfactory service.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and product definition: Covers expanded (foamed) PVC with a transparent wear layer over a printed/embossed pattern.
- Dimensional and tolerance requirements: Length, width, tile side length, squareness and straightness tolerances (tests: ISO 24341, ISO 24342).
- Thickness and mass: Overall thickness, wear layer thickness and mass per unit area requirements with specified tolerances (ISO 24346, ISO 24340, ISO 23997).
- Dimensional stability and curling after heat: Limits for shrinkage and curling after exposure to heat (ISO 23999).
- Mechanical performance and durability:
- Classification by intensity of use: Product classes (e.g., domestic 21–23, commercial 31–33, light industrial 41–42) with nominal wear layer thickness and performance criteria for each class (see ISO 10874).
- Marking, labelling and packaging: Mandatory information such as standard reference (ISO 26986:2010), manufacturer ID, product name, colour/pattern, class/symbol, dimensions and batch/roll numbers.
- Optional properties (Annex A): Tests for electrical resistance (EN 1081), electrostatic propensity (EN 1815), chemical resistance (ISO 26987), reaction to fire (ISO 9239-1, ISO 11925-2; ASTM alternatives), smoke density (ASTM E662), and backing mass (EN 718).
Applications and practical value
- Suitable guidance for manufacturers, product designers and quality engineers specifying or producing expanded cushioned PVC flooring for residential, commercial and light industrial environments.
- Helps specifiers, architects and contractors choose the correct floor covering class based on expected traffic and functional needs (e.g., wear layer thickness and indentation resistance).
- Useful for compliance checking, third‑party testing labs and procurement teams to verify product labelling, tolerances and performance against recognized international requirements.
Who should use this standard
- Flooring manufacturers and R&D teams
- Test laboratories and certification bodies
- Architect, interior designers and facility managers
- Procurement specialists and building specifiers
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 26986, ISO 26986, resilient floor coverings, expanded cushioned PVC, wear layer thickness, dimensional stability, residual indentation, classification.
