Plywood Gets a NIST Performance Glow-Up Proposal
Published Date: 9/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is distributing for public comment a proposed revision of Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-25, Performance Standard for Wood Structural Panels. The revisions to the standard were coordinated by the APA--The Engineered Wood Association, (formally known as the American Plywood Association), prepared by the Standard Review Committee, and approved by the PS 2 Standing Committee. The proposed standard would establish the physical properties and structural performance criteria for assessing the acceptability of wood structural panels primarily used for construction sheathing and single floor applications and provide a basis for common understanding among the manufacturers, distributors, and users of these products. Interested parties are invited to review the proposed standard and submit comments to NIST.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New Accredited Certification and Marking Rules
The proposed PS 2-25 adds new marking and certification provisions including an Accredited Certification Agency, Accredited Inspection Agency, Accredited Testing Laboratory, and a subsection on Outsourcing (Subcontracting) in Section 8. If you make or test wood structural panels and choose to follow the standard, you may need to work with or obtain accreditation from these agencies.
New Quality Assurance Requirements for Panels
PS 2-25 adds a new Section 9 on Quality Assurance Requirements that includes Manufacturing Quality Program, Inspection and Test Program, Sampling and Corrective Action. If you manufacture wood structural panels and opt into the standard, you would need to implement these quality assurance elements.
Updated Definitions, Tests, and Product Categories
The proposed revision adds definitions (Lot, Span Rating, Veneer), adds Bending Strength information (section 6.4.2.1), adds a 3/8 Category 24/0 entry in Table 4, and updates test procedures and figures (including Static Bending Stiffness and conversion fixes). These changes set clearer criteria for accepting wood structural panels used for construction sheathing and single floor applications.
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