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العربيةFormaldehyde emission is a core indicator of the environmental performance of office furniture. The current mandatory national standard GB 18580-2025 specifies that the formaldehyde emission limit for wood-based panel substrates is E1 grade (≤0.124mg/m³), while wood-based panel products (faced panels, flooring, wooden doors, furniture components, etc.) must meet E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³). All products uniformly use the 1m³ climate chamber method for testing. This standard has been fully implemented since June 1, 2026, replacing GB 18580-2017. When enterprises purchase office furniture, they should verify whether the test report indicates the standard number “GB 18580-2025” and the corresponding grade.
I. Basic Standard Information and Scope of Application
GB 18580 “Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products” is the only mandatory national standard for formaldehyde emission in China’s wood-based panel and product industry. It specifies formaldehyde emission limit values, test methods, and scope of application. The current version is GB 18580-2025, implemented since June 1, 2026.
1.1 Standard Name and Version Evolution
GB 18580 “Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products” is the only mandatory national standard for formaldehyde emission in the wood-based panel and product industry. The standard has gone through three versions:
| Version | Release/Implementation Date | Core Features |
|---|---|---|
| GB 18580-2001 | Released in 2001 | First established E1/E2 classification, adopted perforator extraction method + desiccator method |
| GB 18580-2017 | Released in 2017, implemented on May 1, 2018 | Abolished E2 grade, unified E1 grade (≤0.124mg/m³), and adopted only the 1m³ climate chamber method |
| GB 18580-2025 | Released on May 30, 2025, implemented on June 1, 2026 | Distinguishes wood-based panels from products; products are subject to mandatory E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³); testing shortened to 7 days |
The currently effective version is GB 18580-2025, fully implemented since June 1, 2026. GB 18580-2017 was repealed on the same day.
1.2 Scope of Application
According to Chapter 1 “Scope” of GB 18580-2025, the standard applies to various wood-based panels and their products used for indoor decoration and finishing, including but not limited to:
- Wood-based panel products (panels): substrates such as plywood (multi-layer board), particleboard (chipboard), fiberboard (density board), and blockboard (core board)
- Wood-based panel products (finished products): faced wood-based panels, wooden flooring, wooden doors, wooden wall panels, wooden moldings, wooden stairs, custom home components, etc.
Relationship with office furniture: The panel substrates and finished components of office furniture such as office desks and chairs, filing cabinets, and conference tables all fall within the scope of this standard. When enterprises purchase office furniture, panel substrates must meet E1 grade requirements, while finished furniture components that have undergone facing treatment must meet the stricter E0 grade requirements.
II. Comparison of Core Indicators Across the Three Versions of the Standard
The comparison of the three versions of GB 18580 refers to a systematic comparison of the evolution of GB 18580-2001, GB 18580-2017, and GB 18580-2025 in core indicators such as formaldehyde limit values, test methods, and classification systems. Understanding version differences helps correctly determine product compliance.
2.1 Evolution of Formaldehyde Emission Limit Values
| Indicator | GB 18580-2001 | GB 18580-2017 | GB 18580-2025 (Current) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 limit value | Perforator method ≤9mg/100g or desiccator method ≤1.5mg/L | ≤0.124mg/m³ (1m³ climate chamber method) | ≤0.124mg/m³ (1m³ climate chamber method), applicable only to wood-based panel substrates |
| E2 limit value | Desiccator method ≤5.0mg/L | Abolished | Abolished |
| E0 limit value | None | None (proposed in recommended GB/T 39600-2021) | ≤0.050mg/m³ (1m³ climate chamber method), mandatory for wood-based panel products |
| ENF limit value | None | None | Not a mandatory requirement of GB 18580-2025; originates from recommended standard GB/T 39600-2021 (≤0.025mg/m³) |
| Test method | Perforator method/desiccator method/climate chamber method coexisted | Unified as 1m³ climate chamber method | Still the 1m³ climate chamber method (the only arbitration method) |
| Test cycle | 24 hours (desiccator method) | About 22 days (15 days preconditioning + 3-7 days sampling) | 7 days (preconditioning 168±3h + sampling until stable, maximum 168h) |
2.2 Three Core Changes in GB 18580-2025
Change 1: Distinguishing “wood-based panels” from “wood-based panel products” and implementing tiered control
The 2017 version did not distinguish between panels and products and applied the E1 grade limit uniformly. The 2025 version clearly specifies that wood-based panels (substrates) are subject to E1 grade (≤0.124mg/m³), while wood-based panel products (finished products) are subject to E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³). The reason is that wood-based panel products are directly exposed in indoor spaces, so formaldehyde emission has a more direct impact on human health.
Change 2: E0 grade included in a mandatory standard for the first time
The E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³) was previously proposed only in the recommended standard GB/T 39600-2021 issued in 2021. GB 18580-2025 upgrades it to a mandatory requirement, meaning that wood-based panel products that do not meet E0 grade are prohibited from being sold in the domestic market from June 1, 2026.
Change 3: Test cycle significantly shortened
The 2017 version required sample preconditioning for 15±2 days, with total testing taking about 22 days. The 2025 version compresses preconditioning to 168±3 hours (7 days), and testing is completed within a maximum of 7 days. This addresses the industry pain point of “excessively long testing cycles.”
III. 1m³ Climate Chamber Method: The Only Arbitration Test Method
The 1m³ climate chamber method is the only arbitration test method for formaldehyde emission specified in the GB 18580 standard. By simulating indoor temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions, it measures the concentration of formaldehyde released into the air by panels in actual use environments. This method has strong data comparability and is equivalent to the ISO 12460-1 international standard.
3.1 Test Principle
The core principle of the 1m³ climate chamber method is to simulate the formaldehyde release state of panels in an actual indoor environment. The specific process is as follows:
1. Specimen preparation: Cut the sample to 500mm×500mm specifications, and use formaldehyde-free aluminum tape for edge sealing
2. Preconditioning: Keep at constant temperature and humidity for 168±3 hours under conditions of 23±1℃ and 50±5% relative humidity
3. Place in climate chamber: Place the specimen in a 1m³ climate chamber, controlling temperature at 23±0.5℃, humidity at 50±3%RH, and air exchange rate at 1.0±0.05 times/h
4. Sampling and testing: Do not sample during the first 48 hours; thereafter, sample twice every 24 hours (interval >3 hours) until the data are stable
5. Result determination: Take the arithmetic mean of the last 4 measured concentrations as the formaldehyde emission
3.2 Why the Climate Chamber Method Is Superior to Old Methods
| Comparison Item | Perforator Extraction Method | Desiccator Method | 1m³ Climate Chamber Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test principle | Extract the formaldehyde content in panels with toluene | Place the panel in a 40L desiccator and measure the absorbing solution after 24h | Simulate a real indoor environment and measure formaldehyde concentration in air |
| Simulation realism | Measures “formaldehyde content” rather than “emission” | Sealed environment, quite different from actual use | Temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions simulate actual living scenarios |
| Data comparability | Results for different panels are not comparable | Greatly affected by temperature | Standardized conditions, comparable between laboratories |
| International standard | No corresponding standard | No corresponding standard | Equivalent to ISO 12460-1:2020 |
Core conclusion: The climate chamber method measures “how much formaldehyde is released into the air by panels under real use conditions,” which is exactly the health indicator users care about.
IV. How Enterprises Can Verify Office Furniture Procurements Against the Standard
Enterprise procurement formaldehyde standard verification refers to the method and steps for verifying product environmental compliance based on the GB 18580-2025 standard during office furniture procurement, including checking test reports, verifying grades, and scenario-based configuration recommendations.
4.1 Four-Step Procurement Verification Method
Step 1: Confirm the standard number on the test report
The report must indicate “GB 18580-2025.” Reports marked “GB 18580-2001” or “GB 18580-2017” are no longer applicable to current compliance determination.
Step 2: Verify the limit grade
- Panel substrates (such as unfinished panels and bare boards): E1 grade, ≤0.124mg/m³
- Finished furniture components (such as faced panels and edge-banded tabletop panels): E0 grade, ≤0.050mg/m³
Step 3: Check the qualifications of the testing institution
The report must bear the CMA (China Metrology Accreditation) mark, and the testing institution’s accredited scope must cover the “formaldehyde emission” item. You can visit the website of the State Administration for Market Regulation to check the institution’s qualifications.
Step 4: Verify product correspondence
The product name, specification/model, and manufacturer in the report should fully correspond to the actually procured product. Test results for different product lines of the same enterprise cannot be used interchangeably.
4.2 Environmental Grade Recommendations for Different Office Scenarios
| Office Scenario | Recommended Grade | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| General office area (workstations, filing cabinets) | E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³) | Mandatory requirement of GB 18580-2025; compliance baseline |
| Meeting rooms/reception areas | E0 grade or better | High personnel density, possibly insufficient ventilation, and high risk of cumulative formaldehyde |
| Executive office/private office | ENF grade (≤0.025mg/m³) recommended | Long periods of enclosed space, higher environmental requirements |
| Senior management floor/VIP area | ENF grade recommended | Recommended grade in GB/T 39600-2021; not mandatory but safer |
| Special venues (maternal and infant/medical institutions) | ENF grade strongly recommended | Sensitive populations are more vulnerable to formaldehyde exposure |
Key judgment: E0 grade is the mandatory minimum requirement of GB 18580-2025 for wood-based panel products, not a “high-end standard.” If the finished furniture provided by a supplier is marked only as E1 grade, it does not comply with the current national standard.
V. Related Standard System
The formaldehyde emission-related standard system refers to a series of related standards formed around the control of formaldehyde emission from wood-based panels, including mandatory limit standards, recommended classification standards, test method standards, and load capacity guidelines. Understanding the standard system helps comprehensively evaluate product environmental performance.
5.1 Core Related Standards
| Standard No. | Name | Nature | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB 18580-2025 | Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products | Mandatory | Core standard for formaldehyde limits currently in effect |
| GB/T 39600-2021 | Classification of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products | Recommended | Adds ENF grade (≤0.025mg/m³) on the basis of GB 18580 |
| GB/T 39598-2021 | Guideline for Indoor Load Limit of Wood-Based Panels Based on Extreme Formaldehyde Emission | Recommended | Guides calculation of indoor panel usage to prevent cumulative exceedance |
| GB/T 17657-2022 | Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Faced Wood-Based Panels | Recommended | Supporting test method standard for GB 18580-2025 |
| GB 18584-2001 | Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Harmful Substances in Wooden Furniture | Mandatory | Limits of harmful substances in whole wooden furniture (including formaldehyde, heavy metals, etc.) |
| GB/T 35607-2017 | Green Product Assessment—Furniture | Recommended | Green furniture assessment standard; environmental indicators are higher than GB 18580 |
5.2 Comparison with International Standards
| Standard System | Grade Classification | Maximum Limit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| China GB 18580-2025 | E1/E0 (mandatory) + ENF (recommended) | Products ≤0.050mg/m³ (E0), the strictest globally |
| EU EN | E1/E2 | ≤0.124mg/m³ (E1) |
| ISO international standard | E1 only | ≤0.124mg/m³ |
| Japan JAS/JIS | F☆☆☆☆ (F four-star) | ≤0.12mg/m³ |
| US CARB P2 | No grade classification; limits by panel type | Particleboard ≤0.09ppm, hardwood plywood ≤0.05ppm |
Conclusion: The E0 grade requirement for wood-based panel products in China’s current standard (≤0.050mg/m³) has surpassed the EU EN standard and ISO international standard, placing it at a globally leading level.
VI. Common Misunderstandings
Misunderstanding 1: Marking “E1 grade” is enough
After the implementation of GB 18580-2025, E1 grade applies only to wood-based panel substrates (unfinished panels). If finished components of office furniture (such as faced panels and edge-banded tabletops) are marked only as E1 grade, it means they do not meet the mandatory E0 grade requirement for products; they are non-compliant products and are prohibited from sale by law.
Misunderstanding 2: “E0 grade” means “zero formaldehyde”
E0 grade means formaldehyde emission ≤0.050mg/m³ and is not equal to “zero formaldehyde.” Wood itself contains trace amounts of formaldehyde (natural background value about 0.01-0.05mg/m³), and so-called “zero formaldehyde” is technically unachievable. Products claiming “zero formaldehyde” are suspected of false advertising.
Misunderstanding 3: ENF grade is a mandatory requirement of GB 18580-2025
ENF grade (≤0.025mg/m³) comes from the recommended standard GB/T 39600-2021 and is not a mandatory minimum requirement of GB 18580-2025. The mandatory minimum requirements of GB 18580-2025 are: products E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³), substrates E1 grade (≤0.124mg/m³). Some enterprises use “ENF grade” as a marketing selling point; consumers should choose rationally based on actual needs and budget.
Misunderstanding 4: If panels meet the standard, indoor air quality will definitely meet the standard
A single panel meeting the standard does not mean indoor air meets the standard. Formaldehyde concentration is the result of cumulative emissions from all sources (panel furniture, flooring, wall paint, carpets, etc.) and is also affected by room volume, ventilation conditions, temperature, and humidity. GB/T 39598-2021 specifically provides a “Guideline for Indoor Load Limit of Wood-Based Panels” to help calculate the maximum panel usage in a specific space.
Misunderstanding 5: If no odor is smelled, formaldehyde is compliant
At low concentrations (<0.3mg/m³), human smell can hardly perceive formaldehyde, but it may already exceed the safety limit. Conversely, the natural odor of wood itself does not mean formaldehyde exceeds the limit. Odor cannot be used as the basis for judging whether formaldehyde is compliant; only data from a CMA test report is the standard for compliance determination.
VII. Wenyi Furniture’s Quality Control Experience
In Wenyi Furniture’s bulk office furniture procurement and corporate office environment projects, formaldehyde control is one of the core aspects of quality control management. Practical experience shows:
1. Panel selection is the first checkpoint: When serving multiple corporate office environment projects with more than 500 people, Wenyi Furniture found that the formaldehyde emission grade of panel substrates directly determines the environmental performance of finished products. If the substrate only barely meets E1 grade (measured value close to 0.124mg/m³), after edge banding, facing, and other processing, the finished product is unlikely to stably meet E0 grade. The practical approach is to set the substrate procurement standard at a measured value of ≤0.060mg/m³ to leave a safety margin for subsequent processing.
2. Edge banding process affects formaldehyde sealing effect: In the processing of tabletops and cabinet panels for office furniture, edge banding quality directly affects formaldehyde release pathways. Wenyi Furniture’s quality control experience shows that PUR edge banding (moisture-curing polyurethane hot-melt adhesive) has a significantly better formaldehyde sealing effect than traditional EVA hot-melt adhesive edge banding, and laser edge banding has the best effect. For high-intensity-use office furniture (such as open workstations and shared desks), the environmental performance of the edge banding process should be included in procurement evaluation.
3. Acceptance inspection cannot rely on only one report: Some suppliers use the report of a sample of the same model submitted for testing to cover the entire batch of products. During project acceptance, Wenyi Furniture recommends sampling and retesting delivered batches, especially batches with different production dates. Formaldehyde emission may fluctuate between different batches of the same model.
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can E1-grade office furniture produced before June 1, 2026 continue to be used?
Yes, it can continue to be used. GB 18580-2025 regulates the production and sales stages—from June 1, 2026, E1-grade wood-based panel products are prohibited from being sold in the domestic market. Furniture already purchased and put into use is not affected. However, if an enterprise conducts a new round of procurement, newly purchased finished furniture components must meet the E0 grade requirements.
Q2: When purchasing office furniture, what test reports should suppliers be required to provide?
Suppliers should be required to provide a test report meeting all of the following conditions: ① It indicates the standard number “GB 18580-2025”; ② the test method is the “1m³ climate chamber method”; ③ the limit grade matches the product type (substrate E1 grade/product E0 grade); ④ it is issued by a third-party testing institution with CMA qualification; ⑤ the product information in the report (name, model, specifications) is consistent with the actually procured product.
Q3: Is there a large price difference between E0-grade and E1-grade office furniture?
With the implementation of the new national standard on June 1, 2026, E0 grade has become a mandatory requirement for wood-based panel products, and mainstream panel suppliers have completed environmental upgrades. The price difference between current E0-grade faced panels and past E1-grade panels has significantly narrowed, usually between 5% and 15%. Considering environmental compliance risks and employee health, E0 grade should not be regarded as a “high-end option” but as a “compliance baseline.”
IX. Sources and References
- Grade A: GB 18580-2025 “Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products” (State Administration for Market Regulation, Standardization Administration of China, released on May 30, 2025, implemented on June 1, 2026)—Chapter 4 Limit Requirements, Chapter 5 Test Methods
- Grade A: GB 18580-2017 “Indoor Decorating and Finishing Materials—Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products” (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Standardization Administration of China, released on April 22, 2017, implemented on May 1, 2018)—Chapter 4 Requirements (limit value 0.124mg/m³, E1 grade)
- Grade A: GB/T 39600-2021 “Classification of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products” (State Administration for Market Regulation, Standardization Administration of China, implemented on October 1, 2021)—E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³) and ENF grade (≤0.025mg/m³) classification standards
- Grade A: GB/T 39598-2021 “Guideline for Indoor Load Limit of Wood-Based Panels Based on Extreme Formaldehyde Emission”—calculation method for indoor load capacity
- Grade A: GB/T 17657-2022 “Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Faced Wood-Based Panels”—operating specifications for the 1m³ climate chamber method
- Grade B: Wenyi Furniture quality control project files—panel procurement standards, edge banding process evaluation, and batch acceptance procedures
- Grade C: Official website of the National Technical Committee on Wood-Based Panels of Standardization Administration of China (SAC/TC 198)—interpretation of GB 18580-2025
- Grade C: People’s Daily, July 28, 2026, page 14—“How to Choose Wood-Based Panel Products (Service Window)”
This article was compiled by Wenyi Furniture based on national standards and industry practice.
Douyin
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