Overview
ISO 24260:2022 - Thermal insulation products - Hemp fiber mat and board - Specification defines requirements for factory-made hemp‑based thermal insulation used in buildings. It applies to products containing >50% natural hemp fibre (by mass), with the remainder possibly other natural fibres and polymeric material. Products covered are delivered as hemp fibre mats (HFM) or hemp fibre boards (HFB), with or without facings, and include materials used in prefabricated insulation systems and composite panels. The standard describes product characteristics, testing methods, marking, labelling and packaging. Note: system performance, moth‑proof agent residues and health & safety practices are outside the standard’s scope.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Material scope: Products with >50% hemp fibre by mass, mat or board forms.
- Thermal performance: Measurement of thermal conductivity (λ) and thermal resistance (R) using ISO 8301 or ISO 8302 (guarded hot plate/heat flow meter). Specimens are conditioned at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH to constant mass. Declared values must represent at least 90% of production at 90% confidence (90/90).
- λ values rounded up to 0.001 W/(m·K) steps; R values rounded down to 0.05 m·K/W steps.
- Dimensional tolerances: Length and width tested per ISO 29465; example tolerances: HFM length ±5 mm or ±0.4% (whichever larger), HFB length ±3 mm or ±0.4%; width tolerances typically ±2 mm or ±0.4%. Thickness measured per ISO 29466 (measured under 50 Pa).
- Other properties: Apparent density (ISO 29470), moisture content (ISO 12570), reaction to fire (ISO 11925‑2), sound absorption (ISO 354 / ISO 11654), formaldehyde release (ISO 12460‑1).
- Conformity & quality control: Initial type testing (ITT) and Factory Production Control (FPC) requirements are specified (see Annex B). Sampling and conditioning procedures are defined.
Practical applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers of hemp fibre mats and boards use ISO 24260:2022 to declare thermal properties, set production QC, and label products for the building market.
- Specifiers, architects and engineers rely on the declared λ and R values when selecting bio‑based insulation for walls, roofs and floors.
- Certification bodies and testing labs use the sampling, conditioning and measurement protocols for compliance testing and reporting.
- Prefab system and panel producers use the standard for component specification; note that combined system performance must be assessed separately.
Related standards (normative references)
Includes key referenced standards: ISO 8301, ISO 8302, ISO 29465, ISO 29466, ISO 29470, ISO 12570, ISO 11925‑2, ISO 12460‑1, ISO 354, ISO 11654, ISO 12576‑1.
Keywords: ISO 24260:2022, hemp fibre insulation, hemp fibre mat, hemp fibre board, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, hemp insulation standard, testing methods, factory production control.