Grade-stamp decoder

The named panel product (e.g. Rated Sheathing, A-C, Marine). Tells you the intended use and veneer quality band.

Examples: RATED SHEATHING · A-C · MARINE · Underlayment

Verify: Match the panel grade on the stamp to the PO / mill packing list. Marine is a specific PS 1 grade, not a synonym for Exterior glue.

Maximum support spacing (roof / floor) the panel is rated for, printed as roof/floor (e.g. 32/16).

Examples: 32/16 · 48/24 · 24/0

Verify: Confirm the span rating matches the structural drawing. Wrong span rating is a common substitution red flag.

Glue-line durability: Exterior (full weather) vs Exposure 1 (protected construction) vs Interior / Exposure 2.

Examples: EXTERIOR · EXPOSURE 1 · INTERIOR

Verify: Exterior ≠ Exposure 1. If the order called for Exterior / marine bond, Exposure 1 alone is not enough.

Nominal thickness (often fractional inches) and whether the panel is tongue-and-groove.

Examples: 15/32 IN · 23/32 IN T&G · 18 mm (metric orders)

Verify: Measure a sheet and compare to the stamp and packing list. Metric (mm) is primary on Vietnam mill docs; imperial in parentheses.

Identifying number for the mill that manufactured the panel under the trademarking program.

Examples: MILL 0000

Verify: Confirm the mill number / entity matches the invoice seller or declared manufacturer — mismatches suggest diversion.

Which voluntary product standard the panel claims (PS 1 plywood vs PS 2 performance-rated).

Examples: PS 1-19 · PS 2-18

Verify: PS 1 and PS 2 are different products — do not accept a PS 2 stamp against a PS 1 plywood order.

The APA engineered-wood trademark indicates the panel was produced under APA’s trademarking / quality program.

Examples: APA

Verify: Garbled or missing trademark artwork on a claimed APA panel is a red flag — compare to APA public examples.

Emission compliance mark for US composite wood formaldehyde rules (aligned with CARB Phase 2).

Examples: TSCA Title VI Compliant · CARB Phase 2 Compliant

Verify: Required for most US-bound hardwood plywood. Confirm the TPC / mill is listed for TSCA Title VI if the order needs it.

CE logo plus the four-digit notified body number that assessed the factory production control for construction products.

Examples: CE 0123 · CE 1234

Verify: Look up the notified body number in the EU NANDO database and confirm it covers EN 13986 / plywood.

The harmonised standard for wood-based panels used in construction in the EU.

Examples: EN 13986

Verify: Confirm the DoP cites EN 13986 and matches the stamp classes.

Legal manufacturer responsible for the Declaration of Performance.

Examples: Manufacturer name · Factory ID

Verify: Must match the DoP and commercial invoice entity.

EN 314-2 bond class (1/2/3) and EN 636 service class (1 dry / 2 humid / 3 exterior).

Examples: Class 3 · EN 636-3 · Class 2 · EN 636-2

Verify: Cross-check against the order. See the Standards Cross-Reference Matrix for nearest equivalents.

Usually E1 under EN 13986 / EN 717-1 for EU construction panels.

Examples: E1

Verify: From Aug 2026, also check REACH Annex XVII entry 77 chamber limits for in-scope articles.

Fire performance classification (e.g. D-s2,d0) declared for construction use.

Examples: D-s2,d0 · C-s2,d0

Verify: Must match the DoP and the specification in the building application.

Declaration of Performance reference — the legal performance dossier for the product.

Examples: DoP No. XXXX

Verify: Request the current DoP PDF and confirm classes match the stamp and the order.

Official Japanese Agricultural Standard conformity mark for plywood.

Examples: JAS

Verify: Confirm the registered mill is authorised for the claimed JAS plywood category.

特類 (Special / fully weatherproof), 1類 (Type 1), or 2類 (Type 2) bond classification.

Examples: 特類 · 1類 · 2類

Verify: Map to EN / US exposure language via the Standards Matrix — methods differ.

Desiccator-method formaldehyde class. F☆☆☆☆ is the strictest common JAS band.

Examples: F☆☆☆☆ · F☆☆☆ · F☆☆

Verify: Do not treat F☆☆☆☆ as numerically equal to E1 or CARB2 — different test methods.

Appearance or structural grade plus nominal thickness.

Examples: 12 mm · 15 mm · structural grade

Verify: Measure thickness (mm primary) and match grade language to the contract.

Mill identity registered under the JAS system.

Examples: Registered mill code / name

Verify: Entity on the stamp should match the commercial documents.

Forest Stewardship Council claim (FSC 100% / Mix / Recycled) plus licence code FSC-C######.

Examples: FSC Mix · FSC 100% · FSC-C000000

Verify: Look up FSC-C###### on the FSC public certificate database and confirm the mill / trader entity matches the invoice.

PEFC certified claim plus the certificate / licence identifier.

Examples: PEFC Certified · PEFC licence ID

Verify: Look up the PEFC certificate on the PEFC public database and match the legal entity to your seller.

European formaldehyde class (chamber). E0 / E-LE are market terms — pin the test method on the PO.

Examples: E1 · E0 · E-LE

Verify: Ask for the test report method (EN 717-1 / EN 16516). Cross-read with the Standards Matrix.

US formaldehyde compliance marks for composite wood.

Examples: CARB Phase 2 · TSCA Title VI Compliant

Verify: Confirm TPC listing and that the product type matches hardwood plywood rules.

Japanese desiccator formaldehyde class commonly printed as F☆☆☆☆.

Examples: F☆☆☆☆

Verify: Not a legal equivalence to E1 or CARB2 — see Standards Matrix emission caveats.