5. 1. 1. Limits for VOC and SVOC emissions from wood-based products

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.

Wood and wood-based materials that are installed on the room side of the airtight layer of the building must meet the following emission behavior requirements:

 

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.

 

Proof:
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-Scheme 2018, with a space loading of ≥ 0.5 m²/m³ for wood and wood-based panels, or a space loading of ≥ 0.4 m²/m³ for flooring materials from wood or wood-based products, respectively. 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 panels, a test report for a thicker panel 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.

 

 

All products awarded one of the following eco labels meet these criteria:

• natureplus quality label (Award Guidelines RL0200 et seq. on timber and wood materials, RL1007 wood wool panels).
• Österreichisches Umweltzeichen (Austrian 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).