ISO 2036:1976

Overview

ISO 2036:1976 specifies a standardized system of symbols for marking wood species used in the manufacture of wood flooring. The standard defines a concise, four-letter code format to enable clear, uniform identification of timber by genus and - where required - by species. The Annex to ISO 2036:1976 provides a code list of commonly used species and their associated symbols.

Why it matters: consistent species marking improves product traceability, eases international trade, and helps manufacturers, suppliers and regulators verify material origin and suitability for flooring applications.

Key Topics

• Symbol format: Symbols consist of four adjoining capital letters, without points or a final full stop. Example: ACEP.
• Genus coding: The first three letters are the first three letters of the scientific genus name (not local or obsolete names). Example: "ACE" for Acer.
• Species coding: The fourth letter indicates species handling:
  • X as fourth letter denotes any species of the genus (e.g., BETX = Betula sp.).
  • Species initial as fourth letter denotes a specific species when inter-species differences are significant (e.g., ACEP = Acer platanoides, ACES = Acer pseudoplatanus).
• Scientific names required: Use current scientific names; avoid obsolete or local denominations (the standard gives examples such as Pericopsis elata vs. Afrormosia elata).
• Annex code list: A non-exhaustive annex provides symbols, scientific names and common designations for many hardwoods and softwoods used in flooring.

Applications

ISO 2036:1976 is practical for multiple stakeholders involved in wood flooring production and trade:

• Manufacturers: Mark incoming timber, production batches and final flooring products to document species and assure material selection.
• Suppliers and traders: Use concise codes on packing lists, labels and shipping documents to streamline customs clearance and procurement.
• Specifiers and designers: Confirm species suitability and communicate material choices on specifications and project documentation.
• Regulators and auditors: Verify species declarations during inspections and ensure compliance with procurement or conservation rules.

Benefits include faster material identification, reduced ambiguity in international transactions, improved record-keeping and stronger supply-chain traceability.

Related Standards

• ISO 2036:1976 was issued by ISO/TC 99 and succeeded the earlier Recommendation ISO/R 2036 (1971).
• Use ISO 2036:1976 alongside other ISO or national standards governing timber grading, labelling and environmental compliance to create a comprehensive material-control system.

Keywords: ISO 2036:1976, wood flooring, species marking, four-letter symbols, wood species codes, timber identification.