New REACH requirements for formaldehyde

From August 6, 2026, new REACH restrictions on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in consumer products will apply across the European Union. The new regulation introduces stricter emission limits and will impact manufacturers, importers, and distributors placing products on the European market.

An emission limit of 0.062 mg/m³ will apply to furniture and wood-based products. For all other articles, an emission limit of 0.080 mg/m³ will apply.

Companies will need to demonstrate that their products comply with these emission requirements before they can be placed on the market.
 

Compliance is assessed through emission testing in a climate chamber under specified test conditions. The equilibrium concentration (steady state) of formaldehyde is determined to verify whether a product meets the new REACH requirements.

An important advantage of this approach is that testing does not necessarily have to last 28 days. Once sufficient measurement data are available to reliably determine the equilibrium concentration and demonstrate compliance, conclusions can be reached more quickly.

Centexbel supports companies with a pragmatic and efficient approach to formaldehyde emission testing through:

• Emission testing in climate chambers according to the relevant REACH test conditions
• Determination of the equilibrium concentration (steady state)
• Support in the interpretation of test results
• Product compliance assessments
• Clear reporting for customers and market surveillance authorities

The new REACH regulation requires timely preparation. By testing products at an early stage, companies can identify potential risks and implement the necessary measures before the regulation takes effect.

Would you like to understand how your products perform against the new requirements? Our experts can help you define an appropriate testing strategy and assess product compliance.