Certification and Registration
Overview of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emission Testing
Category:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic chemical substances with high volatility. In daily life, VOCs often exist in the air in gaseous form for extended periods and may negatively affect indoor air quality. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of VOCs may cause various health problems, including respiratory irritation, headaches and even more serious health risks. Therefore, accurate detection and evaluation of VOC emission levels are essential for protecting public health and the environment.
To effectively control VOC emissions, many countries and regions have established various standards and test methods to ensure effective monitoring and management of environmental and indoor air quality. ISO 16000-9 (International) uses the emission test chamber method to determine VOC emissions from building products and furniture. BIFMA X7.1 (USA) specifies formaldehyde and TVOC emission limits for low-emitting office furniture. 2004/42/EC (Europe) limits VOC emissions from paints and varnishes. GB/T 29899 (China) uses the small emission chamber method to test VOC emissions from wood-based panels. JIS A1901 (Japan) uses the chamber method to determine VOC and aldehyde emissions from building products.
What Products Require VOC Testing?
(1) Building Materials: Wood-based panels and wooden furniture, wood coatings, interior wall coatings, adhesives, wallpaper, PVC floor coverings, carpets, carpet underlays and carpet adhesives, etc.
(2) Architectural Coatings and Coatings: Varnishes, clear coatings, primers, sealing primers, undercoats, enamels, preservatives and antifouling agents, etc.
(3) Toys and Stationery
(4) Furniture: Sofas, chairs, tables, etc.
Classification of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Currently, the most common classification method is based on boiling point:
|
VOC Type |
Boiling Point |
Examples |
|
Very Volatile Organic Compounds (VVOC) |
Boiling point <50°C |
Methane, formaldehyde, methanethiol, acetaldehyde, dichloromethane |
|
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) |
50°C ≤ boiling point <260°C |
Ethyl acetate, ethanol, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, trichloroethane, xylene, olefins, nicotine |
|
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) |
260°C ≤ boiling point <400°C |
Chlorpyrifos, dibutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
|
Particulate Organic Matter (POM) |
Boiling point ≤400°C |
PCB, benzo[a]pyrene |
What Are the Main VOC Emission Testing Methods?
VOC emission testing mainly includes the following methods: Tedlar Bag Method, Headspace Method, Thermal Desorption Method and Fogging Test Method.
Tedlar Bag Method: Samples are prepared according to requirements and placed into Tedlar bags. The bags are then placed in a constant-temperature oven and heated for 2 hours. Samples are collected using Tenax tubes (VOC) and DNPH cartridges (aldehydes and ketones).
Headspace Method: The sample container is heated to a specified temperature, allowing VOCs in the sample to volatilize into the gas phase inside the container until equilibrium is reached. Gas samples are extracted from the headspace and analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) to identify and quantify VOC components.
Thermal Desorption Method: Solid or liquid samples are placed into a thermal desorption tube. By heating the tube, VOCs in the sample are volatilized and desorbed into the gas phase. The desorbed gas is then introduced into a gas chromatograph (GC) for analysis to determine VOC types and concentrations.
Fogging Test Method: The test material is placed in a sealed chamber with controlled temperature and humidity conditions for a specified period. Deposits collected from the chamber surface are analyzed. The extracted samples are tested using gas chromatography or other analytical techniques to determine VOC types and concentrations, evaluating the potential impact of materials on indoor air quality and surface contamination during use.
International Standard
ISO 16000-3 Indoor air — Part 3: Determination of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds in indoor and test chamber air — Active sampling method
ISO 16000-6 Indoor air — Part 6: Determination of volatile organic compounds in indoor and test chamber air by active sampling on Tenax TA sorbent ， thermal desorption and gas chromatography using MS or MS-FID
ISO 16000-11 Indoor air ― Part 11: Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds from building products and furnishing ― Sampling ， storage of samples and preparation of test specimens
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 TL ID: 39181 Oeko-Tex
ISO 10580 Resilient, Textile and Laminate Floor Coverings — Test Method for the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
European standard
French Decree No. 2011-321 — VOC Emission Labeling Requirements for Construction Products
EN 16516 Construction Products: Assessment of Release of Dangerous Substances — Determination of Emissions into Indoor Air
EU No. 305/2011 Construction Products Regulation (CPR) — VOC Testing Requirements
2004/42/EC Directive on the Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Due to the Use of Organic Solvents in Certain Paints and Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products (Amending Directive 1999/13/EC)
EN 717-1 Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method
EN 717-2 Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 2: Formaldehyde release by the gas analysis method
American standard
CA CDPH Standard Method v1.2 — VOC Emission Testing Method (California Specification 01350)
BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions of Low-Emitting Office Furniture and Seating
ASTM D6007 Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air from Wood Products Using a Small-Scale Chamber
ASTM E1333 Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber
Chinese standard
Green Home Material Certification — Green Panel Procurement Specification — TVOC and Formaldehyde Testing
Green Home Product Certification — Green Indoor Home Products Specification I — VOC Testing and Surface Coating Heavy Metal Testing
Non-Green Home Product Certification — Green Indoor Home Products Specification I — VOC Testing
GB 18584 Limits of harmful substances in furniture Limit on Harmful Substances in Furniture
GB 18584 Limit of Harmful Substances in Furniture
GB/T 17657 Test Methods of Evaluating the Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Surface Decorated Wood-Based Panels
GB/T 31106 Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Furniture
JG/T 481 Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Water-Based Interior Wall Coating Materials
GB/T 29899 Test Method for Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products — Small Emission Chamber Method
GB/T 23986 Paints and Varnishes — Determination of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content — Gas Chromatographic Method
GB/T 23985 Paints and Varnishes — Determination of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content — Difference Method
Japanese standard
JIS A1901 Determination of the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds and Aldehydes from Building Products — Chamber Method
SATISFY provides one-stop VOC testing services for building materials, toys and stationery, and furniture, including preliminary evaluation, preparation and submission of relevant documents, full testing process support, report interpretation, data analysis and improvement recommendations. For more information about VOC testing services, please contact SATISFY.
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