A comprehensive set of new European standards for exterior wood coatings is now available. It is in five parts: a guide to selection and classification, a specification for assessing the performance of different types of wood coating systems in relation to end-use, and test methods for natural weathering and water absorption. This group of standards forms part of the range of construction-related European standards intended to reduce technical barriers to trade and advance the development of the single European market. This Digest, which will interest buildings users and specifiers, architects and paint manufacturers, describes these standards. 8 pages.