One of the newer wood-based panels, medium density fibreboard (MDF) is now produced in massive volumes throughout the world. Its popularity is due primarily to its homogeneous nature and the presence of two smooth high-density surfaces. It is admirably suitable for and widely used as a furniture panel, though it is now making inroads into dry, internal, loadbearing applications in construction.

This Digest describes this product and provides guidance on its use when manufactured to the European Standard EN 622-5. It demonstrates how, when the product is used in construction within Europe, mandatory compliance with the Construction Products Directive can be achieved by using the new European Harmonised Standard (EN 13986).