What You Should Know About Environmental Protection Levels and Standards for Wood-based Panels!

 More and more people are now favoring panel furniture, which has won widespread recognition and love from consumers due to its moderate price, novel designs, and resistance to deformation and cracking. While pursuing these advantages, environmental protection is also an aspect that cannot be ignored.

In the building materials market, some wood-based panels fail to meet environmental standards for formaldehyde emissions. Using these panels to manufacture furniture can lead to excessive levels of indoor pollutants. Many consumers are unfamiliar with national standards and feel confused about this.

Environmental protection level and standards of wood panels

Regarding the environmental protection levels and standards of wood-based panels, different companies have different opinions. Here, Ping An Tree has compiled a comprehensive list of environmental protection levels and related standards for wood-based panels for your reference when purchasing products.

I. The more common E-class in the market

First, there's the more common E-grade, which is divided into three levels: E0, E1, and E2. These are based on European environmental standards, classifying wood products into these three grades according to their formaldehyde emission content. During the implementation period, E1-certified boards can be used for interior decoration.

E0 grade (formaldehyde emission ≤ 0.5 mg/L)

Grade E1 (formaldehyde emission 0.5mg-1.5mg/L)

E2 grade (formaldehyde emission greater than 1.5 mg/L)

During the implementation of this standard, E0 grade was the highest environmental protection level at the time. However, with the introduction of science and technology, E0 grade boards can no longer meet the needs of modern people, because it only represents a relatively low amount of formaldehyde released.

E1 grade boards are permitted for indoor use. E2 grade boards have a strong odor and are unsuitable for human habitation, especially for children, pregnant women, and other groups. Prolonged exposure to such indoor environments can induce many diseases, such as leukemia.

II. F-Series Star Rating Certification from Japan

Let's talk about the F-series star rating certification from Japan. The F-series certification is a series of certifications for the wood products industry in Japan's JAS series. It is divided into four levels. Compared with the European E-level certification, it is an improvement. Its core focus is still on formaldehyde emission, but it is relatively higher than the E-level standard.

F★ (≤5.0mg/L) Formaldehyde emission is less than or equal to 5mg per L.

F★★ (≤1.5mg/L) Formaldehyde emission is less than or equal to 1.5mg per L.

F★★★ (≤0.5mg/L) Formaldehyde emission is less than or equal to 0.5mg per liter.

F★★★★ (≤0.3mg/L) Formaldehyde emission is less than or equal to 0.3mg/L.

III. CARB rating certification from the United States

The US CARB certification began in 2008 and was initially implemented only in California, but has now been extended to the rest of the United States. This standard is the strictest standard in the world regarding formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) classifies wood composite products into three levels: P1, P2, and the highest level, NAF, which is also known as formaldehyde-free exemption certification.

CARB is a US regulation governing formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels. Currently, it is one of the strictest standards for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.

From the E-level environmental protection standard to the F-series star standard and then to the CARB standard, each upgrade in environmental protection level reflects people's emphasis on health and respect for life. However, it should be noted that meeting the standards for boards does not mean that indoor air quality meets the standards. There is a board loading rate issue involved, just like the difference between one person smoking in a room and ten or a hundred people smoking in a room.

Now that you understand the environmental protection levels and standards of wood-based panels, are you ready to make a decision? As an essential building material in home decoration, wood-based panels must be chosen with utmost care.

Ping An Shu wood panels, one of China's top ten wood panel brands, your most reliable choice!