EU - Restriction of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers Adopted

​The European Commission adopted the restriction of formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers on July 17, by adding a new entry to the Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). It also specifies the test conditions by adding a new Appendix (Appendix 14) to the  Regulation.

The new restriction entry sets limits for wood-based products and interior in vehicles, with certain exemptions, effective on August 6, 2026 and August 6, 2027 respectively:

1. ​≤​ 0.062 mg/m3 for indoor use furniture and wood-based articles

2. ≤​ 0.080 mg/m3 for articles other than furniture and non-wood-based articles​

​3. ≤​ 0.062 mg/m3 for interior of vehicles​

Formaldehyde is a highly reactive gas at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions and classified as carcinogen category 1B, mutagen category 2, acute toxicants category 3, skin corrosive category 1B and skin sensitizer category 1 under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).