5. 1. 8. Limits for VOC and SVOC emissions from doors

Wood-based products may emit various substances. In addition to formaldehyde (if binders containing formaldehyde are used), these substances may include volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) such as aldehyde, terpenes from wood components, as well as short-chain carboxylic acids, particularly acetic acid and formic acid.

If wood-based products are installed facing the the interior, without an air-tight layer separating them from the indoor air, it is essential to verify that the following criteria for emission behaviour have been met:

 

Parameter	Max. test chamber concentration after 28 days
Carcinogenic substances classified as Categories 1A and 1B under CLP Regulation 1272/2008 (C-substances)	1 µg/m³ (not quantifiable)
Total of volatile organic compounds  C6–C16 (TVOCs without acidic acid)	300 µg/m³
Acidic acid	600 µg/m³
Total of semi-volatile organic compounds C16–C22 (TSVOCs)	100 µg/m³
Acetaldehyde	120 µg/m³

 

Limit values for emissions of formuladehyde are regulated in criterion 5.1.2 Formaldehyde limit for wood-based materials.

 

In the case of unbonded, untreated solid-wood products (e.g. diagonal cladding) and inorganically bonded wood-based products, this criterion is regarded as met, without further evidence required.

 

Supporting documents:
Test report of an accredited testing laboratory with test chamber procedure in accordance with ÖNORM EN ISO 16000-6,-9,-11 and ÖNORM EN 16516. Test specifications according to AgBB-2018. For older measurements, tests according to AgBB-Scheme 2015 are also accepted. The test certificate must not be more than 5 years old.

 

For homogeneous plates, a test report for a thicker plate can be provided if the production conditions are otherwise the same. For non-homogenous panels (pressed panels such as OSB, MDF, HDF, porous fibreboard etc.), instead of a test report for the tendered panel thickness, a test report on a thinner and a thicker panel may be provided, if it is guaranteed that otherwise same production conditions prevail.

 

Products certified with one of the following labels meet this requirement:

• natureplus quality label (Award Guideline RL0200ff on timber and wood materials).
• Österreichisches Umweltzeichen eco label on coated wood-based products (Guideline UZ 07 on wood and wood-based products)
• Blauer Engel / Blue Angel for panel-shaped wood-based materials (Guideline DE-UZ 76 Low-Emission Panel-Shaped Materials (Construction and Furnishing Panels) for Interior Construction)
• Blauer Engel / Blue Angel for panels and floorings made of wood and wood-based materials (Guideline DE-UZ 176 Low-Emission Floor Coverings, Panels and Doors for Interiors made of Wood and Wood-Based Materials)

 

Alternatively, the corresponding baubook declaration may serve as evidence (www.baubook.info/oea).

 

A limit value for acetaldehyde of 120 µg/m³ has been added.

Reason: Exception from the limit value for carcinogenic substances (C substances) analogous to formaldehyde.

 

Date of criteria revise: September 18, 2023

Criteria revise valid from: September 18, 2023

Type of change: substantial

 

A reference to the additional criterion "formaldehyde limit for wood-based materials" has been added.

Date of criteria revise: September 18, 2023

Criteria revise valid from: September 18, 2023

Type of change: editorial