| Panel Composition | Confirm the panel is a stone-plastic composite product with a documented core formulation, surface layer, backing layer, and declared nominal thickness. | Use the product technical specification and a bill of materials. No single global standard defines every SPC panel composition. | Technical data sheet, product description, safety data where applicable, and an independent material declaration if required by the project. | All projects; particularly important for public procurement and multi-country specifications. | Verify |
| Panel Thickness | Common commercial wall-panel thicknesses are approximately 3–10 mm. Select thickness according to span, substrate flatness, impact exposure, and fixing method. | Thickness is normally a declared product property rather than a universal SPC performance requirement. | Measured thickness tolerance, section drawing, installation instructions, and substrate preparation requirements. | Thin panels for direct-bonded interiors; thicker panels for improved rigidity and impact resistance. | Verify |
| Panel Dimensions | Large-format panels are often supplied in widths of about 600–1,220 mm and lengths of about 2,400–3,000 mm, subject to manufacturer tooling and transport limits. | Dimensions and tolerances should be controlled through the project specification and approved shop drawings. | Dimensional tolerance report, approved panel layout, packaging limits, and container-loading plan. | High-rise, hotel, retail, healthcare, and prefabricated interior projects. | Verify |
| Dimensional Stability | Require published results for length and width change after heat and humidity exposure. Set project limits based on joint design and installation conditions. | ASTM D1204 may be used for linear dimensional changes of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting; ISO 23999 is commonly used for resilient floor coverings and may not directly represent wall-panel performance. | Laboratory test report identifying specimen construction, conditioning, temperature, duration, and measured change. | Warm climates, façades protected from direct weather, wet rooms, and mechanically fixed systems. | Verify |
| Surface Burning / Reaction to Fire | Specify the required fire classification from the local building code. Do not accept a generic “fireproof” claim without a classification report. | ASTM E84 for flame-spread and smoke-developed indices in North American projects; EN 13501-1 for European reaction-to-fire classification. | Current test report for the complete panel system, including surface finish, substrate, adhesive, and mounting method where applicable. | Public buildings, corridors, escape routes, high-rise interiors, transport facilities, and hospitality projects. | Verify |
| Fire-Retardant Formulation | Where required, use a panel with a documented flame-retardant formulation and verify that the result applies to the final product, not only to raw resin. | Fire performance must be assessed using the jurisdictionally accepted method, such as ASTM E84 or EN 13501-1. | Batch-linked fire test report, product certificate where required, and declaration of performance or conformity when applicable. | Schools, hospitals, offices, airports, malls, and high-occupancy buildings. | Verify |
| Smoke Development | Review smoke performance separately from flame spread because a panel can meet one criterion while requiring additional assessment for another. | ASTM E84 includes a smoke-developed index; European classification uses the relevant smoke subclass under EN 13501-1. | Complete test report with smoke result, specimen details, and product identification. | Enclosed public spaces, evacuation routes, stair cores, and transport projects. | Verify |
| Impact Resistance | Choose a construction suitable for expected trolley, luggage, furniture, and pedestrian impact. A thicker panel or rigid backing may be necessary in heavy-use areas. | Use the impact method specified by the project or local authority; ASTM D4226 is used for impact resistance of rigid plastic sheeting in relevant applications. | Impact test report, impact energy or drop height, failure criteria, and installation build-up. | Healthcare, schools, hotels, retail, corridors, service areas, and public circulation zones. | Verify |
| Surface Hardness and Scratch Resistance | Define a minimum scratch or abrasion performance when the panel will be exposed to frequent cleaning, carts, luggage, or public contact. | ASTM D3363 can be used for pencil hardness of coatings; ISO 1518-1 is used for scratch resistance of coatings. The selected method must match the surface finish. | Finish-specific test report, gloss or appearance criteria, and cleaning-cycle assessment. | Retail, hospitality, elevators, corridors, laboratories, and commercial interiors. | Verify |
| Moisture Resistance | For bathrooms and wet areas, require low water absorption or water-resistance data for the complete panel and joints. Panels are not automatically waterproof as an installed system. | ASTM D570 is commonly used for water absorption of plastics; project-specific wet-area testing may also be required. | Water-absorption result, immersion or humidity conditioning details, joint-sealant compatibility, and installation method. | Bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, coastal buildings, and humid climates. | Verify |
| Mold and Fungal Resistance | Use mold-resistant materials where humidity and organic contamination are concerns, but also control condensation, ventilation, and substrate moisture. | ASTM D3273 evaluates resistance to mold growth on interior coatings and surfaces; ASTM D3274 may be used for rating surface fungal growth. | Test report for the actual finished surface and written cleaning and moisture-control requirements. | Healthcare, basements, bathrooms, kitchens, coastal projects, and humid regions. | Verify |
| Chemical and Cleaning Resistance | Require compatibility with the disinfectants, detergents, solvents, and stain agents used by the facility operator. | ASTM D543 is commonly used to evaluate resistance of plastics to chemical reagents. | Chemical-resistance matrix, exposure time, concentration, temperature, visual rating, and approved cleaning products. | Hospitals, laboratories, food-service areas, schools, hotels, and public facilities. | Verify |
| Low-Emission Requirements | For occupied interiors, select products with verified low emissions of volatile organic compounds where green-building or indoor-air requirements apply. | CDPH Standard Method v1.2 is used in many North American low-emitting-material programs; EN 16516 is used for construction-product emissions in Europe. | Current chamber test report, product scope, exposure scenario, and certificate or declaration accepted by the rating system. | Schools, offices, healthcare, residential interiors, and green-building projects. | Verify |
| Formaldehyde and Restricted Substances | Request a declaration of restricted substances and confirm that adhesives, inks, coatings, and backing materials are included in the assessment. | EU REACH requirements may apply to products placed on the EU market. Local chemical regulations must be checked for other destinations. | REACH declaration where applicable, restricted-substance statement, safety data, and material disclosure. | European projects, public procurement, healthcare, education, and sustainability-led developments. | Verify |
| Acoustic Performance | Do not assume that a decorative SPC panel provides meaningful sound insulation. Specify the entire wall or ceiling assembly. | ASTM E90 is used for laboratory airborne sound transmission loss; ISO 10140 is used for laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation of building elements. | Assembly test report showing panel, cavity, insulation, framing, joints, and measured rating such as STC or Rw. | Hotels, offices, residential buildings, cinemas, healthcare, and meeting rooms. | Verify |
| Thermal Performance | Use the declared thermal conductivity or resistance only as part of the complete wall build-up; thin decorative panels normally provide limited insulation by themselves. | ASTM C518 or ASTM C177 may be used for thermal transmission testing, depending on material and laboratory procedure. | Thermal test report, declared conductivity, density, thickness, and complete assembly calculation. | Energy-code submissions, cold climates, hot climates, and insulated partition systems. | Verify |
| UV and Weathering | For areas exposed to sunlight, require color-retention and weathering data for the actual decorative finish. Interior-grade panels should not be specified for exterior exposure without evidence. | ISO 4892-3 is used for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics; ASTM G154 is also widely used for accelerated UV exposure. | Accelerated-weathering report, color-change measurement, gloss retention, exposure cycle, and exterior-use declaration. | Sunlit interiors, covered balconies, transport hubs, and sheltered exterior applications. | Verify |
| Color and Appearance Tolerance | Define acceptable variation using approved samples, lighting conditions, gloss level, and a measurable color-difference method. | CIELAB color measurement and ΔE reporting are commonly used for objective color comparison; project limits must be agreed in advance. | Approved control sample, batch color records, ΔE tolerance, gloss range, and inspection procedure. | Large wall elevations, retail interiors, hospitality, and projects with repeated production batches. | Verify |
| Slip Resistance | Slip resistance is normally relevant to flooring rather than vertical wall panels. If the product is specified for floors, use a flooring-specific test and classification. | ISO 10545-17 and EN 13845 may be relevant for certain floor products; the correct method depends on the product category and local code. | Flooring classification, wet and dry slip data, wear rating, and installation instructions. | Only for SPC products specifically designed and approved for flooring applications. | Verify |
| Installation System | Approve the complete system: substrate, adhesive or mechanical fixing, trims, sealants, expansion gaps, corner details, and penetrations. | Follow the applicable national installation code and the adhesive or sealant manufacturer’s technical requirements. | Method statement, shop drawings, substrate tolerances, adhesive technical data, and mock-up approval. | All projects, especially fast-track international projects with multiple installation teams. | Verify |
| Substrate Flatness | Set a measurable substrate tolerance before installation. Large-format panels can telegraph unevenness through thin or reflective finishes. | Use the relevant drywall, plaster, concrete, or tile substrate standard adopted by the project jurisdiction. | Pre-installation survey, moisture readings, flatness report, remediation record, and signed substrate acceptance form. | Renovation, modular construction, large-format panels, and direct-bonded installations. | Verify |
| Movement and Joint Design | Allow for thermal and building movement using perimeter gaps, control joints, flexible sealants, or mechanically independent sections where required. | Joint design should follow panel test data, building movement criteria, and the local construction code. | Movement calculation, joint schedule, sealant compatibility report, and detail drawings for corners and openings. | Large elevations, heated interiors, sun-exposed zones, seismic regions, and long corridors. | Verify |
| Seismic and Wind Considerations | For seismic or wind-sensitive locations, verify anchorage, panel weight, edge restraint, pull-out capacity, and behavior of joints and trims. | Use the structural and nonstructural-component requirements of the local building code; no universal SPC-panel seismic value should be assumed. | Engineering calculations, fixing test results, anchor data, seismic detailing, and project-specific shop drawings. | High-rise buildings, earthquake zones, coastal areas, transport facilities, and exterior or semi-exterior use. | Verify |
| Product Traceability | Require lot or batch identification so that color, formulation, and test documentation can be traced to delivered panels. | Traceability is generally controlled through the project quality plan and documented factory-control procedures. | Batch number, production date, packing list, inspection record, and retained reference sample. | Global rollouts, phased projects, public procurement, and warranty-sensitive installations. | Recommended |
| Quality Inspection | Inspect dimensions, surface defects, color consistency, edge damage, protective film, packaging, and quantity before installation. | Use an approved inspection and test plan with sampling levels agreed by the project team. | Factory inspection report, pre-shipment photographs, arrival inspection checklist, and nonconformance procedure. | International shipping, large-volume projects, and projects with remote installation locations. | Recommended |
| Packaging and Transport | Use moisture-protected, edge-protected packaging suitable for container transport and local handling. Store panels flat and acclimatize according to installation instructions. | Packaging requirements are project-specific; international shipments may also require compliance with ISPM 15 for solid-wood packaging. | Packing specification, pallet dimensions, moisture protection method, handling instructions, and ISPM 15 evidence where applicable. | Cross-border supply, humid climates, remote sites, and long-distance container transport. | Verify |
| Environmental Documentation | For sustainability-driven projects, request product-specific environmental information rather than relying on general environmental claims. | ISO 14025 and EN 15804 are commonly associated with environmental product declarations, when an applicable EPD is available. | Product-specific EPD, life-cycle data, recycled-content declaration, and end-of-life information. | Green-building certification, public procurement, ESG reporting, and low-carbon developments. | Verify |
| Recycled Content | Specify a minimum percentage only when it is supported by controlled documentation and does not compromise fire, emissions, or durability performance. | Recycled-content claims should follow the documentation rules accepted by the relevant certification or procurement program. | Material declaration, chain-of-custody information, calculation method, and independent verification where required. | LEED-oriented, public-sector, and circular-economy projects. | Verify |
| Local Code and Authority Approval | Confirm the required building-code classification, fire approval, hygiene documentation, accessibility provisions, and installation acceptance before procurement. | Requirements vary by country, building type, occupancy, and location. The authority having jurisdiction has final acceptance. | Code-compliance matrix, certificates accepted locally, test reports, drawings, and authority correspondence. | Every international project, particularly public and regulated buildings. | Verify |
| Warranty and Maintenance | Define warranty duration, excluded conditions, approved cleaning methods, repair procedures, and replacement-batch requirements. | Warranty terms are contractual and should align with tested use conditions and installation limitations. | Written warranty, maintenance manual, spare-panel requirement, cleaning schedule, and repair guidance. | Hotels, hospitals, retail, airports, schools, and asset-management programs. | Recommended |
