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IS 15418:2003 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wall coverings in roll form for finished wall papers, wall vinyls and plastic wall coverings. This standard specifies the requirements, classification, sampling, and testing methods for various wall coverings supplied in roll form, including wallpapers, wall vinyls, and plastic coverings. It covers performance characteristics such as dimensional stability, mass, strength, colour fastness, and washability to ensure product quality for interior finishing.
Wall Coverings in Roll form for Finished Wall Papers, Wall Vinyls and Plastic Wall Coverings
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Flooring, Wall Finishing and Roofing
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always check the batch number when purchasing multiple rolls to ensure colour and pattern consistency across a single surface.
! Pay close attention to the classification (e.g., 'extra-washable', 'scrubbable') in Table 1 to select a product suitable for its intended environment, like kitchens or high-traffic areas versus bedrooms.
! The standard requires markings for identification, including manufacturer, batch number, and classification, which are crucial for quality assurance on site.
EN 233:2016CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Wall coverings in roll form — Specification for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastics wall coverings
Almost identical scope, covering specifications for paper, vinyl, and plastic wall coverings in roll form.
ASTM F793-17(2023)ASTM International
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Wallcovering
Covers vinyl-coated and other wallcoverings, but with a strong focus on categorization by durability (Type I, II, III).
JIS A 6921:2014JSA (Japanese Standards Association)
MediumCurrent
Wallpapers and wallcoverings
Specifies requirements for wallpapers and wallcoverings for interior finishing, including performance and chemical safety.
ISO 20535:2019ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Wallcoverings — Specifications
Provides a comprehensive international framework for wallcovering specifications, largely harmonizing with EN 233.
Key Differences
≠IS 15418 does not use the widely recognized commercial durability classification system (Type I for light-duty, Type II for medium-duty) found in ASTM F793, which is based on mass and physical strength.
≠The requirements for reaction to fire are significantly different. IS 15418 refers to Indian test methods (like IS 1642), whereas EN 233 uses the European 'Euroclass' system (EN 13501-1) and ASTM F793 uses the ASTM E84 'Steiner Tunnel Test' classes (Class A, B, C).
≠Chemical safety requirements in newer international standards are more stringent. EN 233:2016 specifies limits for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and formaldehyde release, and bases heavy metal limits on migration tests (EN 71-3), which IS 15418:2003 does not explicitly cover.
≠While all standards use symbols for performance characteristics (e.g., washability), the specific symbols and the regulatory framework (BIS Mark in India vs. CE Marking in the EU) differ.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental scope of specifying requirements for flexible wall coverings in roll form, intended for interior wall and ceiling decoration.
≈The core performance parameters evaluated are consistent across all standards, including dimensional stability, lightfastness, and resistance to washing or scrubbing.
≈Test methods for key physical properties are conceptually similar. For example, lightfastness is universally tested using a Xenon arc lamp and rated against a standard blue wool scale (as per ISO 105-B02).
≈All standards provide specifications and tolerances for the physical dimensions of the wall covering rolls, such as width, length, and straightness of pattern.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Mass per Unit Area (for Vinyl)
Minimum 200 g/m² for Wall Vinyls
Type II (Medium Duty): 441 to 746 g/m²
ASTM F793-17(2023)
Lightfastness (on Blue Wool Scale)
Minimum rating of 4 ('Good')
Minimum rating of 3 ('Moderate') for standard products
EN 233:2016
Dimensional Stability (Shrinkage)
Maximum 0.5% in machine and cross direction
Shall not be greater than 0.5%
EN 233:2016
Heavy Metal Content (Lead - Pb)
Maximum 100 ppm (0.01% by mass) for soluble lead
Maximum migration of 2.0 mg/kg (for scraper materials, as per EN 71-3)
EN 233:2016
Impact Resistance
Not specified in detail.
Required for Type II and III; must withstand specified impact energy (e.g., 25 in-lbf for Type II) without fracture.
ASTM F793-17(2023)
Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) Content
Not specified
Less than 0.2 mg/kg
EN 233:2016
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Standard roll length10.05 m ± 1.5 %
Standard roll width530 mm ± 1.5 %
Minimum mass for finished wallpapers100 g/m²
Minimum mass for wall vinyls (paper backed)180 g/m²
Minimum colour fastness to light rating3 (on a scale of 1 to 8)
Washability cycles for 'Extra-washable' classMin 100 cycles
Scrubbability cycles for 'Scrubbable' classMin 1000 cycles
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Classification of Wall Coverings
Table 2 - Requirements for Wall Coverings
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification
Clause 5 - Requirements
Clause 7 - Marking and Labelling
Annex B - Method for Determination of Washability and Scrubbability
What is the standard size of a wallpaper roll according to this IS code?+
The standard roll is 10.05 m (± 1.5%) long and 530 mm (± 1.5%) wide, as per Clause 5.1.
How does the code differentiate between 'washable' and 'scrubbable' wall coverings?+
Washability and scrubbability are defined by the number of cleaning cycles a material can withstand. For example, 'Extra-washable' must withstand 100 cycles, while 'Scrubbable' must withstand 1000 cycles (Table 1 and Annex B).
What is the minimum requirement for colour fastness to light?+
All classes of wall coverings must have a colour fastness rating of not less than 3 on the 1-8 blue wool scale when tested (Table 2).
Are there fire safety requirements in this standard?+
No, this standard does not cover fire safety aspects. Fire performance should be checked as per national building codes or other relevant standards for specific project requirements.