CHARACTERISTICS IN STANDARD EN 14411

European standard EN 14411 establishes a set of physico-chemical

characteristics that need to be taken into account in ceramic tile as a function of the
tiles intended use as flooring or wall cladding, and for interior or exterior applications.
In this sense, standard EN 14411 does not differ from the one it replaces, except for the
inclusion of some new characteristics or modification of the requirements, test method
or classification of results envisaged in EN 67-087-85. Chart 1 presents these
characteristics, the new characteristics or in-depth modifications being displayed in red.
The physico-chemical characteristics of ceramic tile, the obligatory or voluntary
nature of their consideration, and the minimum requirable values for each product group
have been summarised in Chart 2 (parts I, II, and II). The dimensional tolerances
envisaged for each product group are presented in Chart 3 (length and width) and in
Chart 4 (thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, and flatness). reviews these
characteristics and notes their effect on tile installation and durability.
Another interpretation of the foregoing charts may be made in relation to the
relative effect of the features they describe on tile installation and tiling durability. In
Chart 5 (parts I, II, III, and IV), we have included a number of new charts, in which the
last column notes the connection between these features and the tile installation mode
and/or effect on durability.

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

CHARACTERISTICS ACCORDING TO APPLICATIONS IN STANDARD EN 14411

CHARACTERISTIC

APPLICATION
FLOORS
WALLS
INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

TEST
METHOD

ISO 10.545(3)
Part

Dimensions and surface quality

Length and width

Thickness

Straightness of sides

Rectangularity

Surface flatness (curvature and warpage)

Surface quality

Physical properties
Water absorption

Modulus of rupture

Breaking strength

Resistance to deep abrasion (unglazed

tiles UGL)

Resistance to surface abrasion (glazed

tiles GL)

Slip resistance

-(4)

Crazing resistance (glazed tiles)

11

Frost resistance (1)

12

Resistance to thermal shock (2)

Moisture expansion

(2)

10

Linear thermal expansion (2)

Small colour differences (2)

16

Impact resistance (2)

Chemical properties
Resistance to low concentrations of acids
and alkalis

13

Resistance to high concentrations of acids

and alkalis

13

Resistance to household chemicals and

swimming pool salts

13

Lead and cadmium release (2) (glazed tiles)

15

Stain resistance
- Glazed tiles
- Unglazed tiles (2)

14
14

NOTE:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

For the characteristics in red, the test method in standard EN 14411 constitutes a modification or a new contribution
compared with the previous European standards
For tiles to be used in exteriors subject to frost/thaw cycles
Test method available
The test methods shall be conducted by laboratories recognised by the national standardisation organisations (ISO members)
and/or accredited organisations of the respective countries. Accreditation under ISO 9000 and/or ISO/IEC Guide 25 is
preferred.
Slip resistance shall be measured according to the test method available in the tile country of destination, whenever this is
required by the national regulations. In Spain, document SUA 1 of the Technical Building Code shall be applied in tiles
intended for private flooring subject to common use or floorings in publicly trafficked architecture. Slip coefficient Rd is
measured by the friction pendulum method [UNE-ENV 12633].

Chart 1

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF EACH PRODUCT GROUP ACCORDING TO EN 14411

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTIC
AND TEST METHOD
DIMENSIONS
ISO 10545-2
SURFACE QUALITY
ISO 10545-2
WATER ABSORPTION (E)
Average
Individual max. value
ISO 10545-3
BREAKING STRENGTH
Thickness 7.5 mm
Thickness < 7.5 mm
MODULUS OF RUPTURE (0)
ISO 10545-4

CLASS OR
UNIT OF
MEASURE
mm or %

PRODUCT GROUP
AIa

AIb

AIIa-2

AIIb-1

AIIb-2

AIII

BIa

BIb

BIIa

BIIb

95% of the tiles shall be free of visible defects that might adversely affect the appearance of the ceramic tiling
0,5
0,6

3
3.3

1300
600
28/21

1100
600
23/18

3<E6
6.5

6<E10
11

>10

0.5
0.6

0.5<E3
3.3

3<E6
6.5

6<E10
11

>10

600
200
15/12 (6)

(5)

N
N/mm2

950
600
20/18

800
600
13/11

900
900
17,5/15

750
750
9/8

600
600
8/7

1300
700
35/32

1100
700
30/27

1000
600
22/20

800
500
18/16

393

541

649

1062

2365

175

175

345

540

ABRASION RESISTANCE
Deep for UGL tiles
ISO 10545-6

mm3 (max.)

Surface for GL tiles (1)

ISO 10545-7

PEI class and

no. of cycles

STATE CLASS AND NUMBER OF CYCLES

STATE CLASS AND NUMBER OF CYCLES

C-1
(K-1)

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

COEFFICIENT OF LINEAR
THERMAL EXPANSION (2)
ISO 10545-8

BIII

The maximum allowable tolerances are shown in Charts 3 and 4

The maximum length and width tolerances in modular tiles shall allow a tile-to-tile joint between 3 and 11 mm wide.
Straightness of sides and rectangularity are not envisaged for tiles with curved sides.

% by mass

AIIa-1

275

Chart 2 (I)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF EACH PRODUCT GROUP ACCORDING TO EN 14411

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTIC
AND TEST METHOD

CLASS OR
UNIT OF
MEASURE

PRODUCT GROUP
AIa

AIb

AIIa-1

AIIa-2

AIIb-1

AIIb-2

AIII

BIa

BIb

BIIa

BIIb

BIII

THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE

(2)

Yes/No

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

Yes/No

YES

YES

ISO 10545-9
CRAZING RESISTANCE
GL TILES
ISO 10545-11

(3)

FROST RESISTANCE (2)

ISO 10545-12

Yes/No

SLIP RESISTANCE

STATE RESULT

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

THE TEST METHOD SHALL BE APPLIED AND THE RESULTS SHALL BE

SPECIFIED WHEN THIS IS REQUIRED BY THE NATIONAL STANDARD
OF THE TILE COUNTRY OF DESTINATION

MOISTURE EXPANSION (2)

ISO 10545-10

mm/m

YES

YES

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

THE

TEST METHOD SHALL BE APPLIED AND THE RESULTS

SHALL BE SPECIFIED WHEN THIS IS REQUIRED BY THE
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE TILE COUNTRY OF
DESTINATION

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

Coefficient
of
restitution

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

Classes
5, 4, 3, 2,
and 1

MINIMUM CLASS 3
TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

MINIMUM CLASS 3
TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

SMALL COLOUR DIFFERENCES

(2)

ISO 10545-16
IMPACT RESISTANCE
ISO 10545-5
STAIN RESISTANCE
GL tiles
UGL tiles (2)
ISO 10545-14

(2)

Chart 2 (II)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF EACH PRODUCT GROUP ACCORDING TO EN 14411

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTIC
AND TEST METHOD

CLASS OR
UNIT OF
MEASURE

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
To low concentrations of
acids and alkalis
To high concentrations

Classes
A,
B, and C
To household chemicals
and swimming pool salts
In GL tiles
In UGL tiles (4)
ISO 10545-13
LEAD AND CADMIUM RELEASE
ISO 10545-15
(0)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

mg/dm2

PRODUCT GROUP
AIa

AIb

AIIa-1

AIIa-2

AIIb-1

AIIb-2

AIII

BIa

BIb

BIIa

BIIb

THE MANUFACTURER SHALL STATE

THE MANUFACTURER SHALL STATE THE

THE CLASSIFICATION OBTAINED

CLASSIFICATION OBTAINED

BIII

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

MINIMUM CLASS B (slightly impaired appearance) GB

MINIMUM CLASS B (slightly impaired appearance) UB

MINIMUM CLASS B (slightly impaired appearance) GB

MINIMUM CLASS B (slightly impaired appearance) UB

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

TEST METHOD AVAILABLE

This is not applied to tiles with breaking load F3000 N

For GL tiles intended for flooring, EN 14411 refers the user to Annex N (of an informative character) to suggest the surface abrasion resistance class according to level of traffic and
abrasive material involved [The section on resistance to surface abrasion, tile classification according to Annex N of EN 14411, may be consulted]
EN 14411 refers the user to Annex P (of an informative character) on the recommendation of levels according to intended tile use, with a view to clarifying the lack of definition involved in
this table by the indication Test method available as sole requirement for the corresponding product group
EN 14411 warns that some decorative effects trend to craze. If the manufacturer states this effect, the tile need not pass the test
If the colour, understood as shade or hue, differs slightly, chemical attack has not occurred
If the average water absorption capacity exceeds 20%, the manufacturer shall state the value. The minimum individual value of each tile shall not be below 9%
For BIII tiles, the standard proposes certain minimum values for the modulus of rupture according to nominal tile thickness: 12 N/mm2 for tiles with e7.5 mm and 15 N/mm2 for e<7.5 mm

Chart 2 (III)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DEVIATIONS FROM LENGTH AND WIDTH ACCORDING TO EN 14411

TYPE OF PRODUCT

DIMENSION M

DIMENSION W

AVERAGE
MEASUREMENT OF
10 TILES

COMMENTS

AIa P, AIb P

311 mm joint

1%/max. 2 mm

1%

W-N 3 MM

AIa N, AIb N

2%/max. 4 mm

1.5 %

AIIa-1 P

1.25%/max. 2 mm

1%

AIIa-1 N

2%/max. 4 mm

1.5 %

AIIa-2 P

1.5%/max. 2 mm

1.5 %

AIIa-2 N

2%/max. 4 mm

1.5 %

2%/max. 2 mm

1.5 %

2%/max. 4 mm

1.5 %

1.2 %

0.75 %

AIIb-1 P
AIIb-2 P
AIII P
AIIb-1 N
AIIb-2 N
AIII N
S90
BIa
BIb
BIIa
BIIb

S:

2-5 mm joint

W-N 2%
max. 5 mm

90<S190

1%

0.5 %

190<S410

0.75 %

0.5 %

S>410

0.6 %

0.5 %

L 12 cm

0.75 %

0.5 %

L > 12 cm

0.50 %

0.3 %

L 12 cm

---

---

L > 12 cm

+ 0.6 % // - 0.3 %

0.25 %

tile surface in cm2

BIII WITHOUT
SPACER LUGS
W-N 2 mm

BIII WITH
SPACER LUGS

Only for GL tiles

M refers to the modular size (multiples and divisors of 100). It is not used in Europe
W is the work size, expressed as length x width x thickness, expressed in millimetres
P: we have introduced this to designate precision tiles
N: we have introduced this to designate natural tiles
P and N are not identified by codes in the standard
N also designates tile nominal size, in centimetres

Chart 3

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

MAXIMUM DEVIATIONS FROM THICKNESS, STRAIGHTNESS OF SIDES,

RECTANGULARITY, AND SURFACE FLATNESS ACCORDING TO EN 14411

Type of product

Straightness

Surface flatness
Curvature
Centre
Side
Warpage

Thickness

of sides

Rectangularity

AIa P, AIb P

10 %

0.5 %

1%

0.5 %

0.5 %

0.8 %

AIa N, AIb N

10 %

0.6 %

1%

1.5 %

1.5 %

1.5 %

AIIa-1 P

10 %

0.5 %

1%

0.5 %

0.5 %

0.8 %

AIIa-1 N

10 %

0.6 %

1%

1.5 %

1.5 %

1.5 %

AIIa-2 P

10 %

1%

1%

1%

1%

1.5 %

AIIa-2 N

10 %

1%

1%

1.5 %

1.5 %

1.5 %

AIIb-1 P
AIIb-2 P
AIII P

10 %

1%

1%

1%

1%

1.5 %

AIIb-1 N
AIIb-2 N
AIII N

10 %

1%

1%

1.5 %

1.5 %

1.5 %

10 %

0.75 %

1%

1%

1%

1%

10 %

0.5 %

0.6 %

0.5 %

0.5 %

0,5 %

5%

0.5 %

0.6 %

0.5 %

0.5 %

0,5 %

5%

0.5 %

0.6 %

0.5 %

0.5 %

0,5 %

BIII (2) WITHOUT

SPACER LUGS

10 %

0.3 %

0.5 %

+ 0.5 %
- 0.3 %

+ 0.5 %
- 0.3 %

0.5 %

BIII (2) S 250

WITH SPACER LUGS

10 %

0.3 %

0.3 %

+ 0.8 %
- 0.2 %

+ 0.8 mm
- 0.2 mm

0.5 mm

BIII (2) S > 250

WITH SPACER LUGS

10 %

0.3 %

0.3 %

+ 0.8 %
- 0.2 %

+ 0.8 mm
- 0.2 mm

0.75 mm

S90(1)
BIa
BIb 90<S190
BIIa 190<S410
BIIb
S>410

(1)
(2)

S: tile surface in cm2

Only for GL tiles
Chart 4

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ENVISAGED IN STANDARD EN 14411

CHARACTERISTIC

TEST METHOD

DIMENSIONS
Length and width
Thickness
Straightness of sides
Rectangularity
Flatness

ISO 10545-2

SURFACE
QUALITY

ISO 10545-2

REFERENCE IN
EN 14411
Compulsory
For all tile types
For all service
applications

Idem dimensions
Boiling

WATER ABSORPTION
CAPACITY

LINEAR THERMAL
EXPANSION

MOISTURE EXPANSION

ISO 10545-3

method is
compulsory
Defines the product
Group

[1]

Tolerances
in
% or mm
First quality
max. 5% defective
E in %
DEFINES THE
PRODUCT GROUPS

ISO 10545-8

C-1 or K-1
(e.g.: 4.8x10-6K-1)

ISO 10545-10

Voluntary characteristic
for the manufacturer

% or mm/m

ISO 10545-4

(S)
and modulus of rupture
(R)
[1]
C mark

EFFECT ON TILE INSTALLATION AND/OR DURABILITY

Fundamental

Voluntary characteristic
for the manufacturer

Idem dimensions
Expression of force

BENDING STRENGTH

EXPRESSION OF
RESULTS

to the tile installation process because they condition the

selection of the materials and the technique, as well as the quality of the
tiling finish (alignment of the joint pattern and flatness). They condition
the tile installation mode (joint width, joint layout, etc.)

This

affects the quality of the tiling finish in regard to uniform appearance

and absence of surface defects

Fundamental

to foreseeing the type of adhesion and, hence, selection of

the materials and tile installation technique
Directly related to other characteristics and to durability (frost resistance)
The

maximum temperature swings in a tiling and this coefficient allow the

maximum lengthening and shortening per linear metre to be established.
Together with moisture expansion, this characteristic helps plan the
position of the movement joints

Essential

coefficient for establishing the position and width of the

movement joints, in some cases with an influence 10 times greater than
that of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion

Allows

S in newton (N)
R in N/mm2

the ceramic tiles intended for wall tiling to be distinguished from

those intended for flooring
A high value of S (e.g. S>2000 N) will assure good performance in
flooring intended for not exclusively pedestrian traffic

The C mark requires statement of the breaking strength for all tiles intended for flooring or roofing, whatever their commercial class
Chart 5 (I)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ENVISAGED IN STANDARD EN 14411

CHARACTERISTIC
RESISTANCE TO DEEP
ABRASION
(UGL tiles)

TEST METHOD

REFERENCE IN
EN 14411

ISO 10545-6

Compulsory for all types

of UGL tiles intended for
flooring

EXPRESSION OF
RESULTS

Linked
3

mm

To be stated:
RESISTANCE TO
SURFACE ABRASION
(GL tiles)

Class:

ISO 10545-7

EFFECT ON TILE INSTALLATION AND/OR DURABILITY

Compulsory for all types

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5
of GL tiles intended for
Number of cycles:
flooring
100, 150, 600,...
6000, 12000

to the mechanical strength of the ceramic body. The smaller the

removed volume in mm3, the greater the toughness
It identifies UGL ceramic tile resistance to impairment of appearance by
mechanical action (scratching and abrasion)
Linked

to the mechanical resistance to impairment of appearance (surface

abrasion of GL ceramic tiles intended for flooring
Together with scratch resistance, loss of gloss, and stain resistance after the
visible stage of surface abrasion, it helps select the tile for the intended
location and foreseeable type of traffic
Provides

SCRATCH RESISTANCE

EN 67-101-92

Not envisaged

Mohs scale
from 1 to 10

information on the resistance to impairment of appearance by

gouging or scratching of GL ceramic tiles intended for flooring
Should be taken into account when a tile is to be selected for flooring with
a low level of traffic (hardness 4) or intermediate or high level of traffic
(minimum hardness 6)
Provides

LOSS OF GLOSS

IMPACT RESISTANCE

ISO 2813

ISO 10545-5

Not envisaged

Adimensional
number

Voluntary for the

manufacturer

Adimensional
number from 0 to 1
(Coefficient of
restitution)

information on gloss loss by surface abrasion in GL tiles. In UGL

tiles, the mirror gloss achieved by mechanical polishing is lost (>15) with
surface abrasion of 600 cycles
Gloss loss above 15 involves visually perceivable surface deterioration,
based on the contrasting, altered surface
Provides

information on ceramic tile performance (especially GL tiles)

when impacted by blunt objects. Interesting information for the
specifications writer and designer.
In UGL tiles it may be of interest to know the result of the heavy impact
test (Annexe 7 of Cahier 2998 of the French CSTB)

Chart 5 (II)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ENVISAGED IN STANDARD EN 14411

CHARACTERISTIC

TEST METHOD

RESISTANCE TO
ROLLING ACTION

Annexe 6,
Cahier 2898
CSTB (France)

REFERENCE IN
EN 14411

EXPRESSION OF
RESULTS

Not envisaged

Passes or does not

pass the test

EFFECT ON TILE INSTALLATION AND/OR DURABILITY

Characteristic

Compulsory

for AIa,
AIb, BIa and BIb
Voluntary for the
remaining groups

BIa

and BIb shall

pass the test
For AIa, AIb state
result

FROST RESISTANCE

ISO 10545-12

CRAZING RESISTANCE

ISO 10545-11

Compulsory for all GL

tiles

Passes or does not

pass the test

ISO 10545-13

Compulsory or voluntary
depending on type of tile
and test

Codes in PDF on
Chemical
resistance (I)

related to UGL ceramic tiles intended for flooring subject to

live loads (rolling actions)
Competence of the designer or specifications writer for industrial flooring
or publicly trafficked architecture
Fundamental

characteristic of ceramic tiles intended for exteriors in

climates with frost risk
Selection of tiles that at least pass the test or, for greater safety, tiles AIa or
BIa in exteriors with greater risk (areas Y and Z) according to NBE-CT-79
Passing

the test does not assure absence of delayed crazing, which is

related to the coefficient of moisture expansion, dimensional stability of
the fixing background, and tile installation technique

Linked

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

Compulsory

STAIN RESISTANCE

ISO 10545-14

LEAD AND CADMIUM

RELEASE

ISO 10545-15

tiles
Voluntary
tiles

for GL
for

UGL

Voluntary for the

manufacturer

Classes
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
mg/dm2

to the chemical resistance to impairment of appearance as a result

of attack by products that alter the ceramic tile surface (discoloration, loss
of gloss and/or surface corrosion)
Knowing the resistance to chemical attack of a wall tile or floor tile helps
select a tile for an intended use
Linked to tile cleanability before the
Related to performance with time of

tile installation
tiles intended for flooring, in regard to
their cleanability after processes of mechanical and/or chemical aggression

Characteristic

only to be envisaged for GL tiles that will be in direct

contact with food. In this case, they shall bear the C mark

Chart 5 (III)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

10

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ENVISAGED IN STANDARD EN 14411

CHARACTERISTIC

TEST METHOD

REFERENCE IN
EN 14411

EXPRESSION OF
RESULTS

ISO/DIS 10545-17

Not envisaged

COF. CLASS 2
COF. CLASS 1

UNE-ENV 12633

Not envisaged

CLASSES [2]
3, 2, 1

SLIP RESISTANCE

[2]

EFFECT ON TILE INSTALLATION AND/OR DURABILITY

Essential

characteristic for evaluating safety in regard to the slip risk of

tiles intended for flooring
Greater or lesser slip resistance shall be assessed as a function of slip risk
(presence of water and/or substances that foster slipping)
There are also national standards that delimit the anti-slip capacity of
ceramic tiles, and tables that relate that capacity to the type of flooring
(location and traffic)

According to document SUA 1 of the new Spanish Technical Building Code

Chart 5 (IV)

Physico-chemical characteristics
Characteristics in standard EN 14411

11