European rules on Formaldehyde Emissions from furniture now in force

As of today, a new EU rule on formaldehyde emissions is officially in force. Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 restricts formaldehyde release from furniture and a wide range of other products, wherever formaldehydor formaldehyde-releasing substances have been intentionally added during manufacture. That's not a "some point soon" deadline. It's now. 

FIRA members will recall an article we published in May 2026, "Are You Prepared for the Upcoming Formaldehyde Restrictions in August 2026?", which highlighted the forthcoming requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1464. 

With the implementation date now reached, businesses placing affected products on the EU market must ensure compliance with the restriction contained in Entry 77 of Annex XVII to REACH. 

Organisations involved in the manufacture, supply or placing on the market of furniture and related products should ensure they understand the requirements and have appropriate evidence available to demonstrate compliance where required.

Wood-based panels used in construction are commonly classified according to their formaldehyde emissions under EN 13986, with emissions determined using the EN 717-1 test method. Traditionally, products have been classified as E1 (up to 0.124 mg/m³) or E2 (above 0.124 mg/m³).

More recently, the E05 classification has gained prominence, particularly in the German market. E05 products have a formaldehyde emission limit of 0.062 mg/m³, which aligns with the limit adopted in AnnexXVII for wood-based articles. For non-wood-based articles, the limit is **0.08 mg/m³.

The regulation sets out the conditions under which formaldehyde emissions must be measured for compliance purposes. While these conditions are similar to those used in EN 717-1 testing, businesses should ensure that any testing and supporting documentation are appropriate for demonstrating compliance with the regulation.

In the furniture sector, it is worth noting that textile materials already within the scope of Entry 72 of AnnexXVII are excluded from the requirements of Entry 77. The restriction is therefore most likely to be relevant where formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances have been intentionally added during manufacture. For example, through the use of certain resins or adhesives.

While these requirements do not automatically form part of the Great Britain REACH regime, they remain relevant for products placed on the market in Northern Ireland and for goods intended for export to the European Union. However, the UK Government are committed to introducing management measures to address the risks in indoor air associated with formaldehyde and businesses should continue to monitor developments in this area.

Further Information

FIRA members can benefit from discounted Formaldehyde Preparedness Audits through Fira-International designed to help businesses understand and manage compliance with the new requirements.

For further information on Annex XVII restrictions, Formaldehyde Preparedness Audits or testing of materials for formaldehyde release, please email John Hubbard via info@fira.co.uk