A NEN standard is a Dutch technical standard that describes how materials, products, or structures should be assessed, calculated, or constructed. NEN stands for Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut (Netherlands Standardisation Institute). The standards are developed by experts and form the technical basis underlying the Dutch Building Decree.
Important NEN standards in construction
| Standard | Subject |
|---|---|
| NEN 2608 | Safety glazing — where safety glass is required |
| NEN 6702/NEN-EN 1990 | Structural safety — loads and calculations |
| NEN 1010 | Electrical installations — wiring, circuits, earthing |
| NEN 7120 | Energy performance of buildings (EPC) |
| NEN 5077 | Sound insulation |
NEN standards and DIY
As a DIY enthusiast, you don’t need to know the standards by heart, but you do need to comply with them:
- Safety glass (NEN 2608) is required for roof glazing, balustrades, and glass doors
- Electrical installations (NEN 1010) must meet the standard — always have electrical work inspected
- Structural calculations — For larger structures, a structural engineer must prepare calculations according to NEN standards
Related terms
- Building Decree (Bouwbesluit)
- Glazing
- Detail drawing