Skip to main content
A forthcoming revision of REACH will impose new formaldehyde emission limits in Europe on all formaldehyde emitting products, including wood-based panels.
This restriction is being introduced under EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Annex XVII (Formaldehyde Restriction). The current limit in some European countries, known as E1, is 0.124 mg/m³ and the new restriction halves this threshold to 0.062mg/m3 for wood-based panels, introducing the industry classification E0.5.
This is an EU requirement, therefore Great Britain will not be directly affected by this. However, companies in GB who export to the EU will have to be EU REACH compliant to place wood-based products on the EU market.
MEDITE will begin the transition from January 2026, with completion by Spring 2026, for all affected MEDITE products, for all markets. By Spring 2026, all MEDITE MDF will meet the new EU REACH standard.
What is formaldehyde and what is it used for?
Formaldehyde is a common, naturally occurring Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), found in natural materials in very small, safe amounts. It occurs naturally within trees, at a very low level, and is therefore present in all wood products.
Formaldehyde has many uses. It’s mainly found in the production of other chemicals and resins. Formaldehyde resins act as adhesives and binders across a range of industries that produce wood products. These include products such as paper and textiles, cosmetics, disinfectants and medicines, and many paints, varnishes and lubricants may also contain formaldehyde.
MDF contains a very low level of formaldehyde. The amount emitted from the board is not harmful and begins to reduce as soon as the board has been produced. For more infromation on this, you can visit https://wpif.org.uk/Health_and...
Which MEDITE products does the Restriction apply to?
The new EU REACH restriction is only relevant for a number of MEDITE products:
FAQs
Within REACH, each person in the supply chain, that places that product on the market, is responsible for it meeting the requirements of REACH when they sell it on.
If you are a processor and adding a layer onto our MEDITE MDF board which uses formaldehyde (e.g., wood veneer, laminate with UF resin, etc.), you will need to retest the board to make sure it meets the requirements of REACH. Clear guidance from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) can be found here.
MEDITE products are tested to EN 717-1 when measuring formaldehyde emissions. This testing standard will continue for E0.5 products, from the point of transition.
What is EN 717-1? EN 717-1 is recommended by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), as it was specifically developed for testing the emissions of wood-based panels and does not need additional testing to demonstrate compliance with formaldehyde standards (i.e., EN 16516). You can find more information about the ECHA guidance here.
EN 717-1 tests formaldehyde emissions over the period of 28 days through a chamber method. It is the recommended test for formaldehyde emissions and is used for all MEDITE products when testing emissions.
Emissions certificates will continue to be available upon request. These certificates can be passed down the supply chain if the board has not been altered with a layer that will affect its formaldehyde content.
The following MEDITE MDF products are manufactured using No Added Formaldehyde MDI resin which already meet the new REACH limit: MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX), MEDITE EXTERIOR, MEDITE CLEAR, and MEDITE VENT.
MEDITE will be updating the Declaration of Performances (DoP) and the product datasheets. The updated documentation will be available from the date of implementation, Spring 2026.
Formaldehyde is a common, naturally occurring Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), found in natural materials in very small, safe amounts. This includes trees and is therefore present in all wood products. No wood product can be ‘formaldehyde free’, however the level of formaldehyde can be controlled.
MEDITE use a formaldehyde-based resin in the manufacturing process for its superior machinability and durability characteristics it offers.
All MEDITE products meet the CARB 2 standard, currently the most stringent limit.
From 6 August 2026, with the new EU REACH revision, the CARB 2 standard will still apply to MEDITE products, as it does now. Therefore, this change to the EU’s new formaldehyde revision will not affect customers outside of the EU.
Standard |
Emission Limit |
E1 |
0.12 mg/m3 |
CARB 2 |
0.11 mg/m3 |
E0.5 |
0.062 mg/m3 |
There can be fines, which can vary depending on severity. The EU Member State can include criminal charges but is generally a fine. Each Member State will appoint a Competent Authority and may carry out market surveillance inspections.
Northern Ireland will be bound by EU law.
Learn More
On 23 January 2026, MEDITE SMARTPLY will be hosting a webinar to address specific questions and provide further insights to this new regulation.
SIGN UP HERE
If you have any questions on EU REACH E0.5, please get in contact with your local Sales Manager, or email Luke Pollington, Product Manager, using the details below.
luke.pollington@mdfosb.com
+44 (0) 1322 424900