1. Background and legal basis
From 6 August 2026, new EU-wide legal requirements regarding formaldehyde emissions from wood-based materials and related products will come into force. The legal basis for this is Regulation (EU) 2023/1464[1] . It adds a new entry (No. 77) to the existing Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation and defines legally binding emission limit values for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in products across the EU. The aim is to improve the protection of consumers against health risks posed by formaldehyde.
2. Scope and limit values
| Scope & Deadlines | |||
| Start date | Formaldehyde limit value | ||
| 1.1 | (a) Furniture and articles made from wood-based materials (b) Other products |
6 August 2026 | 0.062 mg/m³ 0.080 mg/m³ |
| 1.2 | Interior fittings of road vehicles | 6 August 2027 | 0.062 mg/m³ |
3. Definition of ‘article’ within the meaning of the regulation
In the context of the REACH Regulation, an article is defined as “an object which, during manufacture, is given a specific shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater extent than its chemical composition”. [2]
The restriction applies to all products containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances which, under test conditions, exhibit emissions exceeding the specified limit values.
4. Products covered
The requirements apply in particular to
- furniture and wood-based materials containing formaldehyde-based bonding agents, as well as
- products made from textiles, leather, plastics or composite materials, electrical products and
- vehicle interior components.
| Product group | Products |
| Wood-based materials and solid wood | Particleboard, fibreboard, blockboard, plywood, glued laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber, cross-laminated timber |
| Flooring | Parquet, laminate, sports flooring |
| Furniture | Seating, upholstered furniture, cabinet furniture |
| Wall units | Acoustic panels, wall panelling |
| Wall coverings | Wallpaper, tapestries |
| Mattresses | Mattresses |
| Wood-plastic composites | Wood-plastic composites (WPC) |
| Insulation material | Foam, mineral wool, wood wool, wood fibres |
| Other products | Doors, windows, skirting boards, toys, pallet blocks, picture frames, curtains, carpets, automotive interior fittings, foams, abrasives, etc. |
5. Exemptions
The regulation provides for the following exceptions, amongst others:
- Natural emissions: Materials such as natural wood (solid wood), which naturally release formaldehyde, are exempt.
- Outdoor use: Products intended exclusively for outdorr use and which do not cause any significant indoor exposure.
- Construction products outside the building envelope: Products that are not part of the building envelope.
- Industrial or commercial use: Products employed for industrial or professional use, provided that there is no foreseeable exposure to the general public.
- Products subject to other regulatory requirements: Products that are already subject to other specific provisions, e.g. biocidal products, medical devices (EU 2017/745) or personal protective equipment.
- Food contact: Materials that come into contact with food.
- Second-hand products: Products and vehicles that have already been used.
6. Applicable test methods and evaluation criteria
In order to comply with the requirements of the REACH Regulation, testing shall be performed under the conditions specified in Annex 14.
Key test parameters according to Annex 14:
- Test chamber temperature: 23 ± 0.5 °C
- Relative air humidity: 45 ± 3 %
- Loading factor: 1 ± 0.02 m²/m³, based on the loading for wood-based materials[3]
Measured values obtained under alternative test conditions may be accepted provided that a scientifically valid correlation with the standard conditions is demonstrated.
On 14 May 2025, ECHA published the ‘Guidelines for the measurement of formaldehyde releases from articles and formaldehyde concentrations in the interior of vehicles’. These guidelines form the basis for the choice of suitable test methods and the assessment of product compliance.
| Applicable test methods for measuring formaldehyde emissions from articles |
Application for demonstrating compliance | ||
| direct | limited | ||
| 2.1 | Annex 14 to the REACH Regulation | ☒ | ☐ |
| 2.2 | EN 717-1 | ☒ | ☐ |
| 2.3 | ISO 12460-1 | ☒ | ☐ |
| 2.4 | EN 16516 | ☐ | ☒ |
| 2.5 | EN 16000-9 | ☐ | ☒ |
7. Obligations of manufacturers and economic operators
All suppliers of articles – including manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors – who place products on the market in the EU must ensure that the new emission limit values are complied with from the respective date of application. Every act of making a product available is deemed to be a new placing on the market (Article 3(12) of REACH: ‘Supply to third parties, whether in return for payment or free of charge, or making available to third parties; importation shall also be deemed to be placing on the market’). Consequently, the sales ban after 6 August 2026 also applies to products that were originally on the market before that date, as soon as they are made available again.
Suppliers must have valid evidence and measurement data that comply with the conditions set out in Annex 14 or equivalent, scientifically recognised test methods. They are obliged to continuously monitor compliance with the limit values, adapt design and production processes, make a choice of materials or formulations that release less formaldehyde, and comply with the necessary technical documentation.
Manufacturers bear the primary responsibility for product safety. They must identify affected products and materials, carry out emission tests in accredited laboratories or their own facilities, draw up test reports, and update supplier declarations and technical documentation. Where necessary, reformulations or alternative materials may be required to comply with the limit values.
The Regulation does not prescribe uniform mandatory labelling for consumers, as Annex XVII focuses on emissions. However, voluntary labelling schemes may be used to build trust within the supply chain and in the markets. Third-party certification is not automatically required under REACH, but is likely to be expected in order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements.
The EPH ‘REACH FA 2026’ certification programme supports the practical implementation of these requirements and the demonstration of compliance.
[2] https://www.reach-clp-biocidal-helpdesk.de/DE/REACH/Erzeugnisse
[3] If such a load factor is clearly unrealistic under the foreseeable conditions of use for other materials and products, load factors in accordance with Chapter 4.2.2 of EN 16516 may be employed.