Certification and Registration
German VOC Regulations — AgBB, ABG and DIBt Requirements
Category:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
German AgBB VOC Emission Evaluation Scheme
In Germany, VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions from building products have received significant attention because VOC emissions are considered one of the major causes of indoor air pollution. For this reason, the Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products (AgBB), established in 1997, developed relevant testing standards and established the AgBB evaluation scheme for assessing VOC emissions from building products.
The AgBB scheme is regularly reviewed and revised. The latest update was published in June 2021. According to this version, the 2018 edition was no longer permitted for use from June 2022, meaning that a one-year transition period was provided from June 2021 to June 2022.
The AgBB scheme specifies the following emission limits:
● Carcinogenic substances after 3 and 28 days
● Total VOC emissions (TVOC) after 3 and 28 days
● Total SVOC emissions (TSVOC) after 28 days
● Individual VOC compounds with LCI values after 28 days
● Individual VOC compounds without LCI values after 28 days
AgBB testing is similar to emission testing schemes in other countries, such as France and Finland, as well as testing protocols for eco-labels including AFSSET, EMICODE, BLUE ANGEL, GUT and Natureplus. After completion of AgBB testing, reports can also be prepared for these additional labels through specific calculations and minor additional costs.
German ABG Regulation (MVV TB Annex 8)
The German ABG (Anforderungen an bauliche Anlagen bezüglich des Gesundheitsschutzes) requirements for the health protection of buildings are part of the German administrative regulation MVV TB (Muster-Verwaltungsvorschrift Technische Baubestimmungen), Annex 8.
The German ABG regulation is mandatory for buildings using certain indoor-installed construction products, including floor coverings, floor underlays, floor adhesives, floor coatings, reactive fire protection coatings, insulation materials based on phenolic foam and polyurethane foam, plastic-based wall and ceiling coverings, fire protection boards, OSB boards and particleboards.
VOC emission testing under the German ABG regulation is based on the AgBB scheme. The ABG testing requirements are similar to the German AgBB scheme, with VOC testing conducted after 3 and 28 days according to the EN 16516 test method.
The German ABG regulation specifies VOC emission requirements, including limits for total VOC emissions after 3 and 28 days, evaluation of carcinogenic VOCs and individual VOC compounds with LCI (Lowest Concentration of Interest) values. Certain products are also required to demonstrate compliance with ammonia and nitrosamine emissions, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrosamine content requirements.
|
Substance |
Limit after 3 days |
Limit after 28 days |
|
CMR Carcinogenic Substances Category 1A and 1B |
≤0.1 mg/m³ |
≤0.001 mg/m³ |
|
TVOCspez |
≤10mg/m³ |
≤1.0 mg/m³ |
|
TSVOC |
≤0.1 mg/m³ |
|
|
TVOC without LCI values |
≤0.1 mg/m³ |
|
|
R Value |
≤1 |
|
|
Ammonia (requirement for smoked wood flooring) |
≤0.1 mg/m³ |
|
|
Nitrosamines (requirement for rubber products releasing nitrosamines) |
≤0.0002 mg/m³ |
Compared with EN 16516, the ABG method defines a parameter called TVOCspez, which represents the total concentration of all compounds with LCI values (including SVOCs but excluding VVOCs). These compounds are quantified using their individual response factors, while unidentified VOCs without LCI values are quantified as toluene equivalents. SVOCs with LCI values are not included in the TSVOC calculation.
LCI values were defined in the German AgBB scheme in 2018. The AgBB scheme is frequently updated (normally every six months), and these LCI values are largely aligned with European LCI values.
Products within the scope of this regulation that require mandatory CE marking, such as floor coverings, plastic wall coverings, insulation materials based on phenolic foam and polyurethane foam, fire protection boards, OSB boards and particleboards, require official verification documents (Gutachten) issued by technical assessment bodies.
Products with identical or similar formulations and structures may be classified into the same product group. The worst-case product from each group is selected and tested. Compliance shall be verified annually through surveillance procedures, including production facility inspections, particularly factory production control.
Products with identical or similar formulations and structures may be classified into the same product group. The worst-case product from each group is selected and tested. Compliance shall be verified annually through surveillance procedures, including production facility inspections, particularly factory production control.
German DIBt and Ü Mark
As Germany’s approval, licensing and assessment authority, DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik — German Institute for Building Technology) is the primary organization responsible for matters related to building regulations, construction products and construction methods.
DIBt issues national technical approvals, general building approvals, European Technical Assessments and evaluations related to compliance with building requirements for construction products. Every year, DIBt issues more than 3,300 national and European approvals and notifications.
These decisions are based on test programs developed by DIBt, together with corresponding testing and verification procedures for specific products. Testing is performed by laboratories approved by DIBt.
Based on the AgBB scheme, DIBt established the "Principles for Health Evaluation of Construction Products Used in Indoor Environments" in 2004. Obtaining the Ü Mark is essential for certain products as part of the national technical approval (allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung — abZ).
The Ü Mark includes initial product testing and approval by DIBt. The validity period of the Ü Mark is five years, during which frequent testing or supervision of production facilities is not required.
SATISFY provides comprehensive VOC emission testing services, including preliminary assessment, preparation and submission of relevant documents, full testing process support, report interpretation, data analysis and improvement recommendations.
Previous page
Previous page
Related Information
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
Contact Us
Address: Room 7D, Building A, Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center, No. 88 Haide 1st Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Phone: 0755-8273-9683
Mobile: 189-2676-2893
Email: info@sdswcn.com
Sales Window
WeChat Applet