Myth 1: "EN 17168 is just a minor update to EN 13329." Reality: No. It is a separate standard. A product cannot claim both unless tested for both (rarely happens).

Myth 2: "All European laminate flooring automatically meets EN 17168." Reality: Only products explicitly labeled with "EN 17168" on the packaging or technical data sheet have been tested. Many budget micro-grooved floors are sold without any standard.

Myth 3: "A micro-groove is the same as a bevel." Reality: A bevel is typically at the plank edge (V-groove). EN 17168 covers grooves anywhere on the surface, including cross-grooves or embossed-in-register textures.

Every 12 meters (or less), there must be a break-out panel or swing gate that:

EN 17168 places a heavy emphasis on documentation. It mandates that before any intervention occurs, the object must be thoroughly recorded.

One of the standard's most practical contributions is its classification system. Not all stations need the same level of protection. EN 17168 defines five classes based on two parameters: