Formaldehyde Testing for Manufacturers
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical restricted by REACH in certain products and uses in the EU. Find out how formaldehyde testing laboratories can help ensure your products are fit for sale.
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical restricted by REACH in certain products and uses in the EU. Find out how formaldehyde testing laboratories can help ensure your products are fit for sale.
Formaldehyde testing helps manufacturers measure the formaldehyde content or emissions of consumer products before they reach the market. Testing can support compliance with REACH and other international requirements, depending on the product, test method, and destination market.
QIMA provides formaldehyde testing services for textiles, furniture, wood-based products, footwear, paper products, cosmetics, personal care products, electrical and electronic equipment, toys, and other consumer goods. Our laboratories select the appropriate method for the product and the markets where it will be sold.
Tell us your product type, target market, and available sample details. QIMA can help identify the appropriate testing program and provide a quote.
Formaldehyde testing measures the amount of formaldehyde present in a product, the amount that can be released over time, or the concentration released into indoor air. The appropriate test depends on the product material, manufacturing process, intended use, and destination market.
Formaldehyde is a highly toxic biocide which can cause severe burns and result in death if swallowed, inhaled or coming into contact with the skin. It is colorless, flammable, and has a pungent smell.
Products containing formaldehyde must be labeled with information about concentration of formaldehyde as well as warning symbols indicating the health hazards they pose.
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Manufacturers can use formaldehyde or formaldehyde-based materials in resins, disinfectants, fixatives, preservatives, coatings, adhesives, and other production processes. As a result, formaldehyde testing can be relevant to products made from several different materials.
Uses of formaldehyde as a biocide:
Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals
Embalming and taxidermist fluid
Pest control
Veterinary hygiene
Uses of formaldehyde in manufacturing:
Building materials
Cosmetics (lipstick, nail polish)
Flooring and furniture
Glue/bonding agent in the manufacture of composite panel products
Paper products
Personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste)
Photographic film, inks, and paints
Polishes and waxes
Vehicle production
Wrinkle-free fabrics
Washing and cleaning products (liquids and detergents)
Formaldehyde (methanal) is registered under the European health and safety directive REACH and classified under the following hazard class and category codes:
Acute Toxicity 3
Carcinogenic (Carc. 1B)
Corrosive to skin (Corr. 1B)
Skin irritant (Skin sens. 1)
Sensitization of the respiratory tract or the skin
Mutagenic properties (Muta. 2)
REACH Formaldehyde Concentration Limit in Consumer Products Any use of formaldehyde in mixtures, the presence of formaldehyde in any item (product) or its potential to release formaldehyde is limited to a concentration of 0.1%.
For clothing and textiles that are designed to be in contact with human skin, REACH set the limit of formaldehyde content to 0.0075% (or 75 mg/kg).
Depending on the product and target market, formaldehyde testing can involve standards and regulatory requirements including:
ISO 16000 series
ISO 12460-4
ISO 14184
ASTM E1333
ASTM D6007
REACH Annex XVII
CEN/TS 16516
Chamber Method (EN 717-1)
Perforator Method (EN 120)
Flask Method (EN 717-3)
Textiles, Water Extraction Method (BS EN 14184)
Cosmetics Directive 82/434/EEC
Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (Toxic Substances Control Act Title VI)
82 FR 49287
Japan JIS A 1460 Desiccator Method
Canada Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations (CANFER, SOR/2021-148)
QIMA can help determine which requirements apply to your product and target market.
Products are categorized based on their potential to release formaldehyde into the environment over time, both indoors and outdoors.
There are many products with the potential for releasing formaldehyde into indoor air; these include pressed wood products, insulation foams, and textiles.
Most indoor sources of formaldehyde do not contain formaldehyde as such but can emit the toxin as a product of hydrolysis, referred to as “secondary emissions”, which may occur over multiple days or months.
Formaldehyde testing laboratories use different methods to measure formaldehyde content, formaldehyde release, or emissions into indoor air. The appropriate method depends on the product material, the manufacturing process, and the formaldehyde that may be present or released by the product.
Formaldehyde testing determines:
The total concentration of formaldehyde in the product
The amount of formaldehyde released during the product’s expected use or service life
The concentration of formaldehyde emitted into indoor air over a defined period
These various tests reveal how much formaldehyde is contained in the product and determine the extent to which formaldehyde is captured and analyzed, or hidden. For some liquid products, such as detergents, formaldehyde is released slowly until the liquid is spread out on a surface.
Determines actual concentration of formaldehyde in the product as well as determining how much formaldehyde can be released during the product’s lifetime.
Measures the release of all potentially formed formaldehyde emissions at once.
CEN/TS 16516 is a horizontal VOC emissions testing method related to the ISO 16000 series – similar to the European standard ‘EN 717-1 Chamber method’ – and includes the following:
Operation of ventilated test chambers such as temperature and ventilation
Analysis of emitted compounds from test chamber air
Calculation of test results
Reporting of test results
The samples are tested in a sealed test chamber to determine the concentration of formaldehyde in indoors air after a certain elapsed time, serving as an indicator for long-term indoor air exposure. The standard formaldehyde emissions limit is 0.1 parts per million (ppm).
The emissions testing period varies depending on the product and destination market:
Europe: after 3 days and/or after 28 days
USA: after 14 days
Furniture: after 7 days
Wood-based panels: after 20 hours in a large test chamber
Determination of formaldehyde content in a sample
Emission class E1: Less than 8.0 mg/100 g.
Determination of formaldehyde content in mg/m2xh
Emission class E1: Less than 3.5 mg/hxm2.
Determination of formaldehyde release in small samples
No official limit value published.
Determination of formaldehyde release in liquids
Limit value: 0.3 mg/l.
Restrictions governing the use and emissions of formaldehyde and other chemicals sold in consumer products in the European Union became law in 2007 as REACH.
Similar directives have been adopted by other countries around the world since 2007.
REACH directives require any organization producing, supplying, distributing, importing, using or placing a substance, mixture or article on the EU market to be responsible for ensuring that it is in compliance with REACH regulations.
The burden of proof of compliance with REACH regulations is on the manufacturer, who must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU.
As such, manufacturers and producers are compelled to demonstrate to the ECHA how the substance can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users.
The CE mark is required on almost all products sold in the EU which could contain hazardous chemicals. Only products that comply with REACH are allowed to display the ‘CE’ mark, which shows that the manufacturer has checked that the products meet EU safety, health or environmental requirements.
QIMA provides formaldehyde testing services through laboratories in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including on-site ISO standard testing where appropriate.
We’ll advise you on the appropriate tests for your product and your destination market.
Samples are taken at source or from batches of the actual product to ensure transparency in the selection testing procedure and guarantee accurate results.
We’ll determine appropriate tests for your product sample and market, keeping your testing costs as low as possible.
Our formaldehyde testing laboratories are also qualified to certify products with the labels required by the Classification Labeling and Packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures regulations issued by the European Commission’s Health & Safety Authority.
QIMA’s formaldehyde testing services cover a broad range of consumer products, including textiles, cosmetics and personal care products, electrical and electronic equipment, furniture, footwear, paper products, toys, and children’s products.
Our laboratories can help manufacturers select a testing program based on the product specification and destination market. Online booking and dashboard access are also available for managing orders and accessing testing data.
Need help selecting a formaldehyde testing program? Contact QIMA to discuss your product, target market, laboratory requirements, and quote.
Formaldehyde testing can measure the amount of formaldehyde present in a product, the amount released over time, or the concentration emitted into indoor air. The method depends on the product and market.
QIMA provides formaldehyde testing for products including textiles, furniture, wood-based products, footwear, paper products, cosmetics, personal care products, electrical and electronic equipment, toys, and children’s products.
The appropriate method depends on the product material, manufacturing process, intended use, and target market. QIMA can help identify the relevant testing program.
Formaldehyde testing can provide evidence for assessing product requirements under REACH. The applicable limit and test method depend on the product category and how formaldehyde is present or released.
QIMA provides formaldehyde testing through laboratories in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Testing options depend on the product, available samples, and target market requirements.
The Critical Role of Formaldehyde Testing for Consumer Products: Learn more about which formaldehyde regulations may apply to your products and how to ensure compliance.
By contacting QIMA you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.