How to Specify XPS in Tender Documents

3 September 2026

To specify extruded polystyrene insulation in a tender, reference EN 13164:2012+A1:2015 as the governing product standard, state the required performance classes (compressive strength CS(10\Y), declared thermal conductivity λD, water absorption WL(T), and fire class), and request a valid Declaration of Performance (DoP) from the manufacturer. Naming the exact PNP XPS product and its TDS values removes ambiguity and gives the contractor a clear, verifiable benchmark.

Direct Answer

Specify XPS insulation by citing EN 13164:2012+A1:2015, listing the mandatory declared performance classes for your application (compressive strength, thermal conductivity, water absorption, fire class), and requiring the supplier to provide a Declaration of Performance (DoP) under CPR 305/2011. Adding the PNP XPS product name, SKU and TDS reference ties the specification to a tested, documented product and prevents silent substitution on site.

Why a Performance-Class Specification Matters

EN 13164:2012+A1:2015 defines XPS as a factory-made product and assigns each property to a declared class. When a tender simply says "XPS insulation" without classes, contractors may supply any board that meets the bare minimum. Specifying classes prevents that substitution and gives the certifier a clear pass/fail criterion.

The classes most relevant to building specifications are:

CS(10\Y) — compressive strength at 10 % deformation or yield (EN 826). Example: CS(10\Y)300 = ≥ 300 kPa.
λD — declared thermal conductivity, W/(m·K). PNP XPS products range from 0.034 W/(m·K) (20–100 mm) to 0.035 W/(m·K) (120–150 mm).
WL(T) — long-term water absorption by total immersion. Values in the range: WL(T)0.7 (≤ 0.7 Vol.-%) to WL(T)3 (≤ 3.0 Vol.-%).
WD(V) — water absorption by diffusion, relevant for inverted roofs and below-ground use.
Euroclass — reaction to fire: PNP XPS 300, 500 and 700 carry class E; XPS 150 and XPS 200 carry class F. A qualified fire engineer must confirm acceptability under national regulations.
CC(2/1.5/50) — compressive creep class, important for permanently loaded applications such as inverted roofs and foundation slabs.

Step-by-Step: Writing the XPS Clause

State the standard: "XPS thermal insulation boards shall conform to EN 13164:2012+A1:2015."
Name the product (recommended): Include the canonical PNP XPS product name and URL — for example, XPS 300 — so the DoP can be checked directly.
List required performance classes as a table (see below). Copy the class codes verbatim from the DoP or TDS so they are machine-readable and auditable.
Specify surface type where relevant: smooth (standard) or waffled ("W") for bonded systems, or milled-and-grooved ("MG") for ETICS plaster systems. See XPS 300 vs XPS 300 W for guidance.
State thickness and tolerance: All PNP XPS products carry tolerance class T1. Specify the design thickness in mm.
Require the DoP: "The contractor shall submit the current DoP issued under CPR 305/2011 prior to delivery. The DoP reference number must match the product label."
Reference the TDS: "The technical data sheet (TDS) current at the time of tender shall be appended to the submittal."
Request REACH compliance statement if required by client policy: all PNP XPS products are REACH-compliant and contain no HBCDD.

Property	Clause to write	Example — XPS 300 (>30 mm)
Standard	EN 13164:2012+A1:2015	EN 13164:2012+A1:2015
Compressive strength	CS(10\Y)XXX ≥ XXX kPa	CS(10\Y)300 ≥ 300 kPa
Declared λD (20–100 mm)	≤ X.XXX W/(m·K)	≤ 0.034 W/(m·K)
Long-term water absorption	WL(T)X ≤ X.X Vol.-%	WL(T)0.7 ≤ 0.7 Vol.-%
Fire class	Euroclass X (EN 13501-1)	Euroclass E
Compressive creep	CC(2/1.5/50)XXX	CC(2/1.5/50)130
Dimensional stability	DS(70,90)	DS(70,90)
Thickness tolerance	T1	T1

Choosing the Right Product for the Specification

The table below maps common applications to PNP XPS products. A qualified designer must confirm suitability for the specific project conditions — loads, dew point, drainage, and national regulations are project-specific and cannot be resolved from a product specification alone.

Application	Recommended product	Key class
Foundations, floor slabs (standard loads)	XPS 300	CS(10\Y)300, WL(T)0.7
Facades — ETICS plaster/render	XPS 300 W or XPS 300 MG	CS(10\Y)300, waffled or MG surface
Industrial floors, parking decks	XPS 500	CS(10\Y)500, CC(2/1.5/50)150
Road / civil engineering	XPS 700	CS(10\Y)700, CC(2/1.5/50)210
Flat roof — drainage fall	XPS 300 SLOPE	CS(10\Y)300, factory-tapered
Light-duty walls, cavity insulation	XPS 150 W X-Grip	CS(10\Y)150, WL(T)0.7

See Which PNP XPS Should I Choose? Application Guide and What Does '300 kPa' Compressive Strength Mean? for further background.

Supporting Documents to Request from the Supplier

DoP — Declaration of Performance (CPR 305/2011). Each PNP XPS product has its own DoP; check that the DoP reference matches the product label exactly.
TDS — Technical data sheet giving λD, thickness range, tolerance class and installation guidance.
EPD — Environmental product declaration (EN 15804) for projects with embodied-carbon or green-building requirements: EPD — PNP XPS (Várpalota plant), updated 2025-03-19.
BIM objects — Available from PNP XPS documentation for model-based specifications: PNP BIM Libraries, updated 2025-02-24.
REACH compliance letter — confirms no HBCDD or other substances of very high concern.

All current documents are available at pnpinsulation.com/documentation/. For project-specific queries contact PNP XPS sales or email sales@pnpinsulation.com.

Sources

EN 13164:2012+A1:2015 — Factory-made products of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) — Specification
CPR 305/2011 — EU Construction Products Regulation (Declaration of Performance framework)
DoP PNP XPS 300 EMI_en (U).pdf (updated 2025-10-14)
DoP PNP XPS 300 W EMI_en (U).pdf (updated 2025-10-13)
DoP PNP XPS 500_en (U).pdf (updated 2025-07-22)
DoP PNP XPS 700_eng.pdf (updated 2025-03-17)
DoP PNP 300 SLOPE A1-B1_en.pdf / A2-B2_en.pdf (updated 2025-03-17)
DoP PNP XPS X-Grip_en (U).pdf (updated 2026-06-24)
DoP PNP XPS 150W_en (U).pdf (updated 2025-10-14)
TDS pnp_xps300-300TB_600x1250_techcard_en (updated 2026-07-22)
TDS pnp_xps300W-300WTB_600x1250_techcard_en (updated 2026-07-22)
TDS pnp_xps500-500TB_600x1250_techcard_en (updated 2026-07-22)
TDS pnp_xps700_600x1250_techcard_en (updated 2025-03-17)
TDS pnp_xpsX-Grip_X-GripTB_600x1250_techcard_en (updated 2026-07-22)
EPD — PNP XPS (Várpalota plant), updated 2025-03-19
PNP BIM Libraries, updated 2025-02-24
PNP XPS product data (company DATA block, retrieved 2026-09-18)

Frequently asked questions

Which standard governs XPS insulation boards in Europe?

XPS thermal insulation boards are governed by EN 13164:2012+A1:2015, which defines the product, the test methods, and the performance class system used in Declarations of Performance issued under CPR 305/2011. Always cite this standard in the tender clause.

What is the difference between CS(10\Y)300 and CS(10\Y)500 in a specification?

CS(10\Y)300 means the board withstands at least 300 kPa at 10 % deformation or yield (EN 826); CS(10\Y)500 sets that threshold at 500 kPa. Specifying the wrong class under-specifies load capacity — a qualified structural engineer must determine the required class for the actual design load.

Should I specify a smooth or waffled surface for an ETICS façade?

For ETICS systems with plaster, render or tile adhesive applied directly to the insulation face, specify a waffled ("W") or milled-and-grooved ("MG") surface, such as XPS 300 W or XPS 300 MG; smooth-skin boards do not provide the mechanical key required by most ETICS system holders. See the knowledge article XPS 300 vs XPS 300 W for a detailed comparison.

Do I need to specify compressive creep (CC) class?

Yes, for any permanently loaded application — inverted roofs, foundation slabs, cold-store floors, or parking decks — the CC(2/1.5/50) class must be stated so that long-term deformation under sustained load is bounded. For example, XPS 500 carries CC(2/1.5/50)150 and XPS 700 carries CC(2/1.5/50)210; the appropriate class depends on the design load and must be confirmed by the project engineer.

What fire class should I specify for XPS?

PNP XPS 300, XPS 400, XPS 500, XPS 700 and XPS 300 SLOPE carry Euroclass E; XPS 150 and XPS 200 carry Euroclass F. Whether a particular Euroclass satisfies national building regulations for the intended application is a fire-engineering question that must be resolved by a qualified designer — the TDS and DoP confirm the tested class, but compliance with local requirements cannot be determined from product data alone.

Where can I download the DoP and TDS for PNP XPS products?

Current Declarations of Performance and technical data sheets for all PNP XPS products are available at pnpinsulation.com/documentation/. For a specific project submittal or BIM objects, contact sales@pnpinsulation.com.