| Primary use profile | General entrance, corridor, commercial and light industrial applications where a single PVC compound is used throughout the mat. | Applications requiring additional cushioning, dimensional support, drainage control or a specified underside. | Wet or dirt-loading areas where open holes help drain water and release debris. | Confirm intended location, traffic level, moisture exposure, installation method and whether the mat is used indoors or outdoors. | Choose the construction based on the site risk first; regulatory compliance cannot be determined from product type alone. |
EN 13893:2002 Slip resistance | The exposed PVC surface can be assessed for dynamic coefficient of friction under the applicable test method. | The top surface normally controls the walking result, but backing, edges, seams and installation may affect overall safety. | Open construction may improve drainage, but it does not automatically establish a higher slip-resistance classification. | Request a test report identifying the exact surface, conditioning, test direction, footwear or slider, and measured dynamic coefficient of friction. | Under EN 13893, a dynamic coefficient of friction greater than 0.30 is associated with the DS classification. Do not treat DS as a universal wet-floor guarantee. |
EN 13501-1 Reaction to fire | May be classified only after testing or valid classification using the relevant flooring test methods and the final product construction. | Backing layers, adhesives and installation substrates can change the final fire behaviour and must be covered by the evidence. | Perforation alone does not determine the fire class; material formulation, thickness, backing and mounting remain important. | Ask for an EN 13501-1 classification report or certificate stating the exact product, thickness, substrate, adhesive or mounting condition and field of application. | Common flooring classes include A1fl to Ffl, with smoke classifications such as s1 or s2 where applicable. Never assume Bfl-s1 or another class without product-specific evidence. |
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | Review PVC resin, plasticisers, pigments, stabilisers and other intentionally added substances in the formulation. | The compliance review must cover every layer, including backing compounds, coatings, binders, adhesives and treatments. | Open structure does not remove chemical obligations; the full compound and any surface treatment remain relevant. | Request a current material declaration, restricted-substance statement and SVHC assessment. If an article contains an SVHC above 0.1% weight by weight, Article 33 communication duties may apply; SCIP obligations may also apply in the EU. | REACH is not a single product-performance grade. Check the current Candidate List, Annex XVII restrictions and the destination market before shipment. |
| Material transparency | Usually easier to trace because the main body uses one principal material system. | Higher documentation complexity because different layers may come from different formulations or suppliers. | Requires confirmation of additives, pigments, plasticisers and any anti-slip or antimicrobial treatment. | The declaration should identify all homogeneous materials and disclose whether recycled content, post-industrial scrap or processing aids are present. | For simplified global reviews, a clearly documented homogeneous construction is generally easier to audit, provided performance requirements are met. |
| Drainage and contamination control | Solid or closely coiled surfaces can retain more water and dirt on the walking surface if drainage is limited. | Performance depends on the relationship between the top coil, backing design and floor drainage. | Generally better suited to wet entrances and debris-shedding zones when the floor below can receive and remove water. | Check hole dimensions, trip risk, cleanability, drainage capacity, floor compatibility and maintenance instructions. | Perforated PVC coil mats are often the practical choice for wet environments, but they still require slip and fire evidence for the final configuration. |
| Installation and system effects | Loose-lay, recessed or bonded installation may produce different movement, edge and fire-test conditions. | The backing and adhesive system may be essential to the stated performance and should not be substituted without review. | Interlocking or loose-lay formats require attention to curling, shifting, edge retention and cleaning access. | Compare the tested mounting condition with the actual installation. A result for one substrate or adhesive is not automatically transferable to another system. | Treat the mat, backing, adhesive and substrate as one installed system when reviewing fire and safety documentation. |
| Evidence package for import review | Product specification, batch or lot traceability, EN 13893 report where required, fire classification evidence and chemical declaration. | All documents above plus layer-by-layer composition, backing specification, adhesive details and system-level test scope. | All documents above plus drainage design data, installation limitations and cleaning or contamination-control instructions. | Verify document dates, laboratory identification, product reference, thickness, colour or formulation range, test configuration and destination-market requirements. | A complete, product-specific evidence file is more reliable than generic statements such as “fire retardant,” “anti-slip” or “REACH compliant.” |
| Best-fit selection summary | Best for: simpler material traceability and general dry or moderately trafficked areas, subject to verified performance data. | Best for: projects needing cushioning or dimensional support, where the complete multilayer system is documented and tested. | Best for: wet and debris-heavy entrances where drainage is a key operational requirement and the floor design supports it. | Minimum decision rule: match the exact product and installation to EN 13893 evidence, EN 13501-1 classification and a current REACH chemical review. | Overall conclusion: no single PVC coil mat type is automatically compliant worldwide; the best choice is the one whose tested construction and chemical documentation match the target application and market. |