Overview
EN ISO 9229:2020 - Thermal insulation - Vocabulary (ISO 9229:2020) is a standardized glossary of terms used across the thermal insulation sector. Published by CEN as an endorsed version of ISO 9229:2020, this third edition replaces the 2007 edition and gives consistent terminology for materials, products, components, supply forms, systems, testing and certification related to thermal insulation. The standard helps remove ambiguity in specifications, procurement, test reports and technical communication across industries and languages.
Key topics
- Scope and structure: comprehensive vocabulary covering thermal insulation materials, products, components, forms of supply, systems and common testing/certification terms. No normative references.
- Material definitions: clear entries for cellular plastics (EPS, XPS), polyurethanes (PUR, PIR), phenolic foam (PF), cellular glass (CG), mineral and glass wool (MW, glass wool, stone wool), cellulose, cork, expanded perlite, vermiculite, carbon/graphite fibres, etc.
- Product and component terms: pipe sections (concentric, precision v-groove, cut, moulded), facings, vapour barriers and vapour retarders, external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) - with clarified and revised definitions in this edition.
- Forms of supply & applications: board, loose fill, mats, moulded elements, and product-specific supply forms.
- Testing and certification vocabulary: terminology used in test reports, conformity assessment and certification for insulation products and systems.
- Notable updates: revised ETICS definition, clarified vapour barrier/retarder terminology, corrected cross-references and resolved circular definitions.
Applications
Who uses EN ISO 9229:2020 and why:
- Manufacturers & product developers - for accurate product data sheets and labelling using standardized terms (EPS, XPS, PIR, PUR, mineral wool).
- Specifiers, architects & consulting engineers - to avoid ambiguity in technical specifications and tender documents.
- Testing laboratories & certification bodies - to align test reports and conformity statements with accepted vocabulary.
- Regulators & procurement teams - to reference consistent terminology in regulations and purchase contracts.
- Trainers and technical authors - for consistent teaching materials, manuals and multilingual documentation.
Practical benefits:
- Reduces misinterpretation between stakeholders
- Improves clarity in regulatory and contractual texts
- Facilitates international trade and cross-border projects by harmonizing terms
Related standards
- This document is an ISO standard prepared by ISO/TC 163 in collaboration with CEN/TC 88 and is adopted as EN ISO 9229:2020 by CEN members. It supersedes EN ISO 9229:2007.
- For implementation details and cross-references consult the ISO Online Browsing Platform (https://www.iso.org/obp).
