Introduction
From 6 August 2026, new REACH requirements for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances apply to articles placed on the European market.
For manufacturers, importers and distributors, this means that formaldehyde emissions from relevant products need to be assessed against new, significantly defined emission limits.
For engineers involved in product development, materials selection, quality, compliance or supplier qualification, it is time to understand what this means for your products and testing strategy.
What is changing?
REACH Annex XVII, Entry 77 introduces specific limits for formaldehyde released from articles:
- 0.062 mg/m³ for furniture and wood-based articles
- 0.080 mg/m³ for other articles
These limits apply from 6 August 2026 under the test conditions specified in Appendix 14.
The restriction covers formaldehyde as well as formaldehyde-releasing substances. There are exemptions for certain categories of articles, including some products intended exclusively for outdoor use, certain industrial or professional applications, and products already covered by specific legislation.
Therefore, the first step is always to establish whether your specific product falls within the scope of Entry 77.
How is compliance assessed?
The regulation specifies emission testing in a controlled test chamber.
The reference conditions include:
- 23 ± 0.5 °C
- 45 ± 3% relative humidity
- Defined specimen loading factor
- 1 ± 0.05 h⁻¹ air exchange rate
- Formaldehyde measurements at least twice per day
The test continues until sufficient data are available to determine the steady-state concentration. That measured concentration is then used to assess compliance with the applicable REACH limit.
Does testing always take 28 days?
No.
The regulation states that the test must be sufficiently long to determine the steady-state concentration, with a maximum duration of 28 days.
This means that a test can potentially be completed earlier when sufficient measurement data demonstrate that the steady state has been reliably established. For engineers, this is an important distinction:
The objective is not simply “28 days of testing”, but obtaining reliable evidence of the equilibrium concentration under the defined conditions.
What does this mean for product development?
Formaldehyde compliance can become relevant long before a product reaches the market.
Materials, adhesives, coatings, wood-based components, polymers and other formulations can all influence the final emission behavior of a finished article.
Therefore, testing can be useful at several stages:
A well-designed testing strategy can help identify potential issues early, rather than discovering non-compliance after production has started.
Where can EXPERTA | TESTING help?
EXPERTA | TESTING is an independent testing consultant and testing partner network.
We help engineers translate a regulatory requirement into a practical testing programme — without requiring you to manage multiple laboratories yourself.
Our network covers a broad range of regulated compliance testing and material characterisation, including:
- Chemical and physical properties
- Emission and environmental testing
- Thermal analysis
- Mechanical and rheological testing
- Electrical and EMC testing
- Surface and microstructural analysis
- Weathering and durability
- Polymer and coating characterization
- Failure analysis and R&D testing
For formaldehyde and other regulated substances, we can help determine what needs to be tested, which test approach is appropriate, what sample preparation is required and which independent laboratory can perform the work.
Need to assess your product?
If you are unsure whether your product falls within the new REACH formaldehyde requirements — or you need to arrange compliant emission testing …
⇒ Talk to us via info@experta-testing.com or Book a meeting (https://www.experta-testing.com/book-a-meeting)
✅ One point of contact
✅ Independent laboratory selection
✅ Technical expertise
You focus on your product ⇒ We simplify the testing!