Accueil Landing pages REACH and formaldehyde: What manufacturers need to know now
Lorem Ispum

REACH and formaldehyde: What manufacturers need to know now

Starting in August 2026, excessive formaldehyde levels could halt your production. Fagus-GreCon's measurement technology provides reliable data for your REACH compliance. For more consistent quality, less waste, and lower costs.

  • Publié 12 mai 2026

Different industries. One shared compliance requirement.

Different industries, different products, one shared challenge: proving formaldehyde emissions comply with REACH.

Deadline: August 6
Wood & Furniture: Particleboard, MDF & Furniture
Deadline: August 6
Textiles & Leather: Equipment & Tanning
Deadline: August 6
Construction: Insulation Materials & Interiors
Deadline: August 2027
Automotive: Interior Emissions

REACH Insights for Your Business

Limits, deadlines, and testing requirements for your industry, all summarized in a convenient format.

Fagus_GreCon_REACH_Limits_2026_EN.pdf
129 KB, PDF

Your ability to supply will soon depend on the formaldehyde level

Starting in August 2026, products that exceed the new formaldehyde limit will no longer be permitted on the market. Measuring and documenting compliance now secures your ability to supply and avoids production stops.

1

EN 16516

Test chamber method as the European reference for measuring formaldehyde emissions.

Effective since 2017

2

REACH Annex XVII

Restrictions on formaldehyde in products; reliable evidence is required.

Burden of Proof

3

Stricter limits

New formaldehyde limits apply from August 2026.

Wood-based products (e.g., furniture, wood-based materials, flooring)
≤ 0.062 mg/m³
Other products (e.g., textiles, paper, coatings)
≤ 0.080 mg/m³
Interior fittings of road vehicles
≤ 0.062 mg/m³

Starting in August 2026

4

Transition period ends

As of the effective date, proof of compliance is required for placing the product on the market.

AUGUST 6, 2026

Our approach for every new project

A formaldehyde test without prior classification rarely delivers the right result. That's why we start by clarifying your specific case, then select the appropriate measurement method.

Contact →
Our Approach
1
Consulting & Assessment

Joint classification of products, materials, and applicable REACH requirements.

2
Sampling & Test Chamber

Representative samples, properly conditioned and measured in accordance with EN 16516.

3
Analysis & Evaluation

Analysis of emission levels and comparison with the applicable limit values for each application.

4
Certificate & Report

Test report and proof of conformity, documented and delivered in accordance with REACH.

GASANALYSER SL as a grey laboratory product from above with wet chemistry

Less risk, more control over your formaldehyde values

A batch held back due to excessive formaldehyde values costs you time and money. The GreCon GASANALYSER measures precisely and quickly, whether in the laboratory or directly on the production line.

  • Basis for your proof of compliance: Measured values in accordance with ISO 12460-2/-3, aligned with the REACH reference methods.
  • Flexible testing strategy: Laboratory and inline systems can be combined as needed.
  • Lower costs: Early detection of process deviations prevents faulty batches.
  • Precision at low emission levels: Reliable measured values even close to the limits.
  • Personal support: Our experts support you with installation, calibration, and questions on standards.
View Gasanalyser →
In use at
> 140 Systems · 100+ industries

Is this relevant to your industry?

Please tell us briefly what product you manufacture and where formaldehyde comes into play. We will provide an initial assessment.

Send a message

FAQs about the REACH Regulation

A brief explanation, we'll go over the details during the audit.

REACH restricts formaldehyde in articles and requires reliable evidence that emissions comply with the applicable limit values. For many products, this requires measurements that comply with relevant standards.

EN 16516 describes a standardized test chamber method for determining formaldehyde emissions under defined conditions. The former E1 classification was based on different test conditions—EN 16516 is now considered the European standard.

Defined emission limits apply to wood-based materials such as particleboard and MDF. The specific values depend on the product and application—during the audit, we will determine which applicable requirements apply to your specific case.

The sectors affected include, among others, wood and furniture, textiles and leather, construction, and the automotive industry. Wherever formaldehyde is present in or on products, detection requirements apply.

The process—from sampling to testing in the test chamber to the final report—typically takes a few weeks, depending on the product and the scope of the work. We will coordinate the specific timeline with you after the audit.

The latest REACH insights from your industry

Everything you need to know about REACH, in one place!

Stay informed: Fagus-GreCon provides you with compact technical articles on the latest developments regarding the REACH regulation, new limit values, and technical solutions.

Insights section