On August 6, EU Formaldehyde limits change: What does it mean for the industry?

On August 6, 2026, new regulations for wood, furniture, and interior design came into force across Europe. From this date, no wood-based product placed on the EU market may emit more tan 0,062 mg/m³ of formaldehyde, cutting the historic E1 class threshold in half.

This change establishes a single, mandatory limit for all 27 Member States, aligning Europe with the world’s most stringent standards (such as CARB Phase 2 in the US or F4-Star in Japan).

New Formaldehyde emission limits under regulation (EU) 2023/1464

Under Entry 77 of Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation, designed to reduce indoor exposure to formaldehyde, the following maximum emission limits have been set for chamber testing:

• 0,062 mg/m³ (0,05 ppm): Limit for furniture, wood-based panels, and derivative wood products. This same threshold will apply to road vehicle interiors starting August 6, 2027.
• 0,080 mg/m³: Limit for all other indoor articles emitting formaldehyde.

The former E1 class permitted up to 0,124 mg/m³ (0,1 ppm). The new standard—informally known as the “E05 class”—reduces permitted emissions by exactly 50%.

From workshop to factory floor: Why the E1 Class is no longer enough

A traditional E1 panel registering 0,090 mg/m³ comfortably complied with the previous regulation, but today it is non-compliant with EU law. This restriction affects the entire supply chain:

• Panel manufacturers (MDF, Particleboard, Plywood): he European Panel Federation (EPF) estimates that transitioning to low-emission synthetic resins will increase raw material costs by 15% to 25%.
• Furniture manufacturers and importers: They bear legal responsibility for the final product placed on the market. Any furniture item placed on the EU market after August 6 must comply with the new threshold, regardless of when the raw panel was purchased.

A natural, differentiating solution: HTP Global’s Hardboard

Faced with the industry-wide challenge of reformulating urea-formaldehyde (UF) glues or switching to costlier resins, hardboard panels from HTP Global (Betanzos HB and Tarnaise des Panneaux) offer a completely chemical-free alternative.

Our hardboard utilizes the wood’s own natural lignin as a binder, without adding any synthetic glues or resins during production. As a result, this material is exempt from REACH Regulation restrictions.

As demonstrated by laboratory testing on our product:

• Historic E1 Limit: 0,124 mg/m³
• New EU Limit (REACH Entry 77): 0,062 mg/m³
• Actual HTP Global Hardboard emission: barely 0,007 mg/m³.

This places our emissions at just 5.6% of the legal threshold, delivering virtually zero-emission performance and guaranteeing full regulatory compliance without inflating your production costs.

Frequently asked questions

Can E1 panels remaining in stock still be used?

Only if the actual measured emission of that specific batch is below 0,062 mg/m³. Enforcement authorities audit the finished product placed on the market, not the purchase date of the raw material.

Does this regulation apply to products imported from outside the EU?

Yes, without exception. Any furniture or panel product originating from Asia, the Americas, or non-EU countries must certify compliance with the new threshold to clear European customs. Legal liability lies directly with the importer.

Which products are exempt from the new limit?

Exemptions apply to second-hand items, materials intended exclusively for outdoor use, strictly industrial or professional applications, and categories governed by specific standalone regulations (such as medical devices, biocides, or food contact packaging).

Looking to ensure full legal compliance for your components without adding operational complexity?

Contact the technical team at HTP Global to discover how our 100% natural Hardboard solutions help your plant comfortably exceed the new European standards.