Furniture manufacturers and producers of wood-based panels have just weeks left to prepare for one of the most significant chemical compliance changes affecting the European wood products sector in recent years. From August 6, 2026, new formaldehyde emission limits under Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/1464 become mandatory for products placed on the EU market.<\/p>\n
The regulation amends Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation by introducing stricter emission limits for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in finished products. Furniture and wood-based articles, including particleboard, MDF, plywood and finished furniture, must not exceed a formaldehyde emission level of 0.062 mg\/m\u00b3, while other indoor articles are subject to a limit of 0.080 mg\/m\u00b3. Vehicle interiors will have to comply with the same 0.062 mg\/m\u00b3 limit from August 2027.<\/p>\n
For the wood industry, the new requirement effectively halves the emission level commonly associated with the current E1 classification under EN 717-1, meaning some manufacturers may need to reformulate adhesives, adjust production processes or source lower-emission raw materials to maintain market access.<\/p>\n
Companies placing products on the EU market are expected to verify compliance through appropriate testing and technical documentation. Areas requiring particular attention include the emission characteristics of raw materials and purchased components, process changes that may affect formaldehyde release, verification of emissions from finished products, and the application of the testing methods specified in the regulation. Compliance can be demonstrated either by assessing individual materials and components or by testing the finished product in the form in which it is marketed.<\/p>\n
Testing laboratories are encouraging manufacturers to complete conformity assessments before the deadline, as products exceeding the new limits can no longer be placed on the EU market after August 6. CATAS, one of Europe's leading testing institutes for the furniture sector, said it is providing technical support to companies in interpreting the regulation, planning verification programmes and carrying out the required emission testing.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99189,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n