BELGIUM – On July 14th, 2023, with the publication of the Regulation 2023/1464, the EU Commission has adopted new significant measures  to reduce formaldehyde emission from a wide range of products including wood-based panels and furniture.

For wood-based articles and furniture as well as the interior of road vehicles, the relevant limit will in future be 0.062 mg/m³ formaldehyde in indoor air.

For all other articles such as textiles, leather, plastics, construction materials or electronic products, the new limit is 0.080 mg/m³.

Producers of articles where formaldehyde is used will have 36 months to comply with the new limits.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), with the support of industry and experts, will develop guidance to facilitate the harmonised implementation of the test conditions for the measurement of formaldehyde emissions.