Structural Timber Testing
Type testing, factory production control support and characteristic value determination for solid timber, glulam, finger jointed timber, CLT, LVL and composite wood-based beams — for European market access under the CPR.
Structural timber products are placed on the EU market either under a harmonised standard (EN 14081-1, EN 14080, EN 15497, EN 14374) or through a European Technical Assessment based on an EOTA EAD (CLT, composite beams and columns, hardwood glulam). Amstelfy delivers the test evidence both routes require: mechanical performance to EN 408 and EN 384, bonding quality and durability of bonding, moisture, dimensional, fire and formaldehyde characteristics — evaluated to EN 14358 and reported in a form that carries directly into CE marking with our notified body partner network and ETA applications with our partner TABs.
Products We Test
From graded sawn timber to engineered wood products and structural connections.
Solid & Finger Jointed Timber
- Strength graded solid timber — EN 14081-1 (visual and machine graded)
- Strength classes to EN 338 and EN 1912
- Structural finger jointed solid timber — EN 15497
Glued Laminated Products
- Glued laminated timber and glued solid timber — EN 14080
- Glulam with large finger joints
- Block glued glulam
Panel & Veneer Products
- Cross laminated timber (CLT) — EN 16351
- CLT via the ETA route — EAD 130005-00-0304
- Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) — EN 14374
- Glued laminated LVL — EAD 130337-00-0304
Composite Members & Connections
- Composite wood-based beams and columns (I-joists, box beams) — EAD 130367-00-0304
- Timber connectors and dowel-type fasteners — EN 14592, EN 14545
- Joint testing to EN 26891, EN 12512, EN 383, EN 409, EN 1380–1383
Structural Timber Testing Laboratory
Take a look inside our ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities.
Test Programme
Characteristics, methods and the European standards and EADs they are determined under.
| Characteristic | Test method | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Bending strength and modulus of elasticity, tension, compression, shear | Full cross-section tests, characteristic values | EN 408, EN 384, EN 14358 |
| Finger joint bending strength (type testing and FPC) | Edgewise / flatwise bending | EN 15497 Annex C; EN 14080 Annex E |
| Full-size bending of glulam and glued solid timber | Verification tests | EN 14080 Annex F |
| Moment, bearing, shear capacity and axial resistance of composite beams and columns | Full-scale tests | EAD 130367 Annex A |
| Delamination of glue lines | Methods A, B, C | EN 14080 Annex C; EN 16351 |
| Shear strength of glue lines | Block shear, drill core | EN 14080 Annex D; EN 14374 Annex B |
| Adhesive suitability and long-term performance | Tensile shear, delamination, sustained load | EN 301, EN 15425, EN 302 series, EN 14080 / EN 15497 Annex B |
| Moisture content and density | Oven dry, resistance, capacitance | EN 13183-1/-2/-3, EN 384 |
| Sizes, tolerances and dimensional stability | Measurement, humidity cycling | EN 336, EN 318 |
| Reaction to fire | SBI, small flame — or CWFT classification | EN 13501-1, EN 13823, EN ISO 11925-2; 2003/593/EC, 2005/610/EC, (EU) 2017/2293 |
| Resistance to fire | Beams and columns; charring rate | EN 13501-2, EN 1365-3, EN 1365-4, EN 1995-1-2 |
| Formaldehyde release | Chamber method, class E1 | EN 717-1, EN 16516 |
| Durability against biological attack | Natural durability, preservative treatment | EN 350, EN 335, EN 15228 |
Regulatory Routes
Three market access routes for structural timber and engineered wood products.
CE marking under AVCP System 2+
EN 14081-1
We provide the type-testing evidence and FPC test support; FPC certification is arranged through our notified body partner network.
CE marking under AVCP System 1
EN 14080, EN 15497, EN 14374
We carry out the type testing and coordinate FPC inspection and certification with our notified body partner network, leading to a Certificate of Constancy of Performance.
ETA route
CLT, composite beams and columns, hardwood glulam
For products without a harmonised standard we test to the relevant EAD and manage the assessment with our partner Technical Assessment Bodies through to ETA issue.
European Technical AssessmentHow We Work
A structured route from test plan to a technical file ready for market access.
Scope and test plan
Product family, species, adhesive, strength class and cross-sections; sampling per the applicable standard.
Sampling and conditioning
Moisture content per EN 13183; conditioning at 20 °C / 65 % RH where required.
Type testing
Mechanical, bonding, moisture, dimensional, fire and formaldehyde characteristics.
Evaluation
Characteristic values and acceptance criteria to EN 14358 and EN 384.
Reporting
Test reports and technical files ready for CE marking with our notified body partner network, ETA applications with our partner TABs, and UK certification (BBA).
FPC support
Shift finger-joint bending tests, proof loading, delamination and shear FPC testing, and surveillance testing.
Related Services
Product Certification
Certificates of Constancy of Performance for construction products.
European Technical Assessment
ETA routes for CLT, composite beams and other products without a harmonised standard.
EPD Verification
Independent verification of timber and engineered wood EPDs.
Ready to Test Your Timber Products?
Contact our laboratory team to discuss type testing, FPC support and market access for your structural timber and engineered wood products.