EN 1438:1998
(Main)Symbols for timber and wood-based products
General Information
- Abstract
This standard defines a wide range of symbols for use in documents covering solid timber and all wood-based materials. Clause 5 follows the layout of ISO 3898. All the symbols are presented as letter types in alphabetical order.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 18-Aug-1998
- Withdrawal Date
- 27-Feb-1999
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 175 - Round and sawn timber
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 175 - Round and sawn timber
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 11-Jun-2024
- Completion Date
- 23-Sep-2026
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
Not Harmonized89/106/EEC - Construction products
Overview
EN 1438:1998 - Symbols for timber and wood-based products is a CEN standard that defines a comprehensive set of symbols and character types for use in technical documents, labelling and drawings covering solid timber and all wood‑based materials. The standard presents symbols as letter types in alphabetical order and aligns Clause 5 with the layout conventions of ISO 3898, promoting consistent presentation across documents. National adoptions (for example, SIST EN 1438:2003) reflect its use in member countries.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Symbols cover solid timber and a wide range of wood‑based products used in documentation, specification and marking.
- Symbol format: All symbols are provided as standardized letter‑type characters and arranged alphabetically for easy reference.
- Layout conformity: Clause 5 follows the layout of ISO 3898, ensuring compatibility with existing international symbol presentation practices.
- Document consistency: The standard supports uniform representation of material types, processing states and other product identifiers in technical drawings and written specifications.
- Multilingual presentation: Titles and references are provided in multiple languages to aid international use (as seen in national publications).
Note: EN 1438 defines the symbols and presentation rules; it does not replace product performance or classification standards.
Practical applications
- Creating consistent technical drawings, specification sheets and material schedules for construction, joinery and furniture design.
- Standardizing product labels, catalogs and documentation used by manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of timber and wood‑based panels.
- Improving clarity in procurement documents where precise identification of wood materials is required.
- Supporting communication between architects, engineers, contractors and timber product manufacturers by using agreed symbol conventions.
Who uses this standard
- Timber and wood‑based materials manufacturers and product developers
- Architects and structural engineers preparing design drawings and bills of materials
- Contractors, joiners and millworkers working with specified timber products
- Procurement and quality teams preparing purchase specifications and inspection documentation
- Technical writers and technical illustrators preparing manuals, data sheets and CAD libraries
Related standards
- ISO 3898 - referenced for layout conventions used in Clause 5 of EN 1438.
- National adoptions (example: SIST EN 1438:2003) provide localized publications and translations.
Keywords: EN 1438, symbols for timber, timber symbols, wood‑based products, ISO 3898, CEN standard, timber documentation, wood product labelling.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Refers
EN 1129-2:1995 - Furniture - Foldaway beds - Safety requirements and testing - Part 2: Test methods - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije
Slovenian Forestry Institute. Forest management certification support, timber testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1438:1998 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Symbols for timber and wood-based products". This standard covers: This standard defines a wide range of symbols for use in documents covering solid timber and all wood-based materials. Clause 5 follows the layout of ISO 3898. All the symbols are presented as letter types in alphabetical order.
This standard defines a wide range of symbols for use in documents covering solid timber and all wood-based materials. Clause 5 follows the layout of ISO 3898. All the symbols are presented as letter types in alphabetical order.
EN 1438:1998 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 01.075 - Character symbols; 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1438:1998 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 3898:1987, EN 1129-2:1995, EN ISO 28927-2:2009, EN 14374:2004, EN 14298:2017, EN ISO 15744:2008, EN ISO 28927-6:2009, EN ISO 28927-1:2019, EN ISO 28927-9:2009, EN ISO 28927-10:2011, EN ISO 28927-12:2012, EN ISO 28927-8:2009, EN ISO 28927-3:2009, EN ISO 28927-11:2011, CEN ISO/TS 8662-11:2004. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1438:1998 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011, 89/106/EEC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 1438:1998 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Simboli za les in lesne proizvodeSymbole für Holz und HolzwerkstoffeSymboles pour le bois et les produits a base de boisSymbols for timber and wood-based products79.040Les, hlodovina in žagan lesWood, sawlogs and sawn timber01.075Simboli za znakeCharacter symbolsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14
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