Formaldehyde is chemically the aldehyde with the simplest structure and is, due to its high reactivity, one of the most important base materials in the chemical industry. Formaldehyde is mainly used in the manufacture of synthetic resins. The aminoplast and phenolic resins thereby derived are used substantially as adhesive resins in the manufacture of wood-based materials. However, these materials contain formaldehyde condensation resins as binding agents and can, depending on various factors, emit formaldehyde.
In Germany and other European countries, in accordance with the Chemical Prohibition Order (ChemVerbotsV), solely wood-based materials are stipulated which do not exceed a maximum concentration of 0.1 ppm of formaldehyde in a testing room. The DIBt guideline 100, which applies in the construction field, stipulates so-called "E1" wood-based materials. Furthermore, demand is increasing for the so-called "carb product" wood-based materials, which are approved under Californian law.
The department "Quality Assessment" is active as a testing, monitoring and certification body for building products in accordance with both the state building regulations and the Construction Products Directive. The department’s testing competence is documented through its accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. Furthermore, it is approved as a testing and certification body (TPC) by the Californian Air Resources Board and is also certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) as a laboratory for the measurement of formaldehyde in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS).
In addition, our many years of experience are applied in the new and further development of formaldehyde testing methods.
Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research