Lorem Ispum

REACH Regulation and formaldehyde

Basics for manufacturers

Home Insights Technologies

The REACH Regulation introduces uniform Europe-wide limits for formaldehyde emissions from products for the first time. For many manufacturers, this raises fundamental questions: Am I affected? What values apply? And what specific obligations do they entail? This article provides a concise introduction to the key regulations.

What is formaldehyde and why is it regulated by REACH?

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a colourless gas with a pungent odour and is the simplest representative of aldehydes. The substance has been used in various industries for many decades – initially mainly as a preservative and disinfectant, and later increasingly as a component of binders and adhesives. Formaldehyde is particularly prevalent in urea-formaldehyde resins, which are used in the manufacture of wood-based materials such as chipboard, MDF and plywood. In the form of furniture and floor coverings, these materials are still among the most important sources of formaldehyde in indoor environments today.

Even low concentrations in the air can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and respiratory tract in sensitive individuals; these effects are exacerbated at higher exposure levels. Accordingly, the CLP Regulation lists several hazard statements for formaldehyde, including irritant, corrosive and skin sensitiser. Based on animal testing, the EU has also classified the substance as a category 1B carcinogen since 2014 – a risk that is particularly relevant in the case of long-term exposure to higher concentrations.

In order to avoid increased indoor concentrations and their health effects, the REACH Regulation will set binding EU-wide emission limits for formaldehyde in consumer products for the first time from August 2026.

What does the REACH Regulation regulate?

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals) forms the central legal framework of the EU for the handling of chemical substances. The aim is to ensure a high level of protection for humans and the environment while guaranteeing the free movement of goods within the internal market. With the update of the REACH Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 on 14 July 2023, this regulation was tightened via Annex XVII and, for the first time, specified with binding emission limits throughout Europe.

This means that, with a few exceptions, almost all articles from which formaldehyde can be released are covered. What previously mainly affected the wood-based materials sector now applies across industries to a wide range of products and applications.

What are the applicable limits?

The new REACH regulations distinguish between product groups and set clear emission limits:

  • Wood-based products, e.g. furniture and wood-based materials: ≤ 0.062 mg/m³
  • Interior fittings of road vehicles: ≤ 0.062 mg/m³
  • Other products: ≤ 0.080 mg/m³

These values apply throughout the EU and replace previous, partly national regulations with a uniform standard. The decisive factor here is not the raw material used, but the actual measured emissions of the finished product. These limits are monitored in special test chambers – read more about this in our Insight REACH-compliant formaldehyde testing: steps for manufacturers.

Formaldehyde test vial in chemical solution
REACH creates a uniform EU framework for chemical substances—and has made formaldehyde limits binding across all industries since 2023.
Glass flask containing blue liquid in front of an arm wearing a white coat and gloves
Even though individual products are exempt, the scope of application of the new REACH regulations remains broad—and the testing requirements for manufacturers correspondingly high.

Transition periods for affected manufacturers

To give companies time to adapt their processes, the REACH Regulation provides for transition periods:

  • Furniture and wood-based materials: until August 2026
  • Interior fittings of road vehicles: until August 2027

After these periods have expired, products that exceed the specified limit values may no longer be placed on the market. It is therefore crucial for manufacturers to establish suitable testing and verification procedures in good time.

Exceptions – and what they mean

Not all products are subject to the new formaldehyde limits. Not all products are subject to the new requirements. Exceptions include items in which formaldehyde occurs exclusively in natural form, as well as products that are used exclusively outdoors or outside the building envelope. Used items and products that already fall within the scope of other EU regulations—such as food contact materials, medical devices, or personal protective equipment—are also not affected.

In summary:

  • Products that are used exclusively outdoors or outside the building envelope
  • Used items
  • Products that are already subject to other specific EU regulations (e.g., food contact materials or medical devices)

In practice, however, the range of products affected remains large. Many exceptions only apply in clearly defined cases and do not generally release manufacturers from the obligation to carefully check whether they are affected.

FAQs about the REACH Regulation

Whether it's concern, documentation requirements, or organizational implications, the REACH regulation raises fundamental questions. The following answers provide an initial assessment. We will address specific solutions and implementation examples in separate Insights articles.

With a few exceptions, this affects all companies that manufacture, process, or market consumer products from which formaldehyde can be emitted into indoor air. In addition to traditional wood-based materials, this also includes materials from the automotive, construction, textile, and chemical industries. The decisive factor is not the industry, but the emission behavior of the product. You can find more information about the industries affected and exceptions in our Insight article Impact of the new REACH limits on your industry.

Manufacturers and distributors must be able to prove that their products comply with the applicable emission limits. This can be done using their own reliable measurement data, traceable technical documentation, and established testing and control routines. Alternatively, suitable and verifiable evidence from suppliers can also be used—provided that the manufacturer's own processing step does not introduce any additional sources of formaldehyde and does not alter the emission behavior of the product.

We explain which test methods are suitable for this purpose and how they are used in everyday production in the following Insight Test Methods and Standards.

Implementing REACH requirements in practice

Regulatory developments show that emission control is increasingly becoming part of standard industrial processes. Companies that use formaldehyde in their products or process chains must be able to prove that their products comply with the permissible emission limits—either through their own measurements or through complete and traceable documentation along the supply chain. This is always based on reliable measurement data that ensures both legal certainty and transparency in the production process. With measurement technology solutions for laboratory and inline applications, Fagus-GreCon supports manufacturers in systematically integrating these requirements into their quality assurance processes.

Discover GreCon measurement technology solutions
GreCon GASANALYSER MC product against grey-white background
Systems such as the GreCon GASANALYSER MC provide reliable measurement data that is crucial for verifying emission limits and ensuring traceable quality assurance.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please fill in all mandatory fields marked with an asterisk (*).

Fields marked with * are required.

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the data policy.