TS EN 12597

TS EN 12597 is a terminology standard for bitumen and bituminous binders. It establishes a common technical vocabulary for paving and industrial bitumens, as well as binders derived from bitumen, so that the same material is described consistently across specification, testing, and trade documents.

What the standard covers

The scope is limited to materials within CEN/TC 336, namely bitumens and bituminous binders. In general technical terms, this means petroleum-derived binders used in road paving and in other industrial applications where adhesion, cohesion, waterproofing, or binding performance is needed. The standard explicitly does not extend to non-petroleum hydrocarbon binders such as coal tar and its derivatives, or to natural asphalts. However, it does include some definitions for excluded materials and related terms when those terms are needed to understand product or process definitions without ambiguity.

Why controlled terminology matters

In bitumen technology, terminology helps distinguish materials that may look similar in practice but differ in origin, processing route, consistency, or intended use. That distinction matters because bituminous materials are selected and specified according to performance-related properties such as stiffness, workability, and binding behaviour. A consistent vocabulary supports clearer contracts, better communication between laboratories and engineers, and more reliable interpretation of product descriptions.

• Limited to bitumens and bituminous binders.
• Covers paving and industrial bitumens within the CEN/TC 336 scope.
• Does not extend to coal tar derivatives or natural asphalts.
• Includes some explanatory definitions for related excluded terms where needed.
• Supports consistent use of product and process terminology.