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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 E05.
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 complete the transition by early April 2026, for all affected MEDITE products, for all markets. From this point, 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.
Formaldehyde has long been used in MDF and similar wood-based panels as part of the resin binder system that holds wood fibres together. It delivers strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making MEDITE MDF one of the most versatile and machinable materials in joinery, cabinetry, and interior fit-outs. 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 information on this, you can visit https://wpif.org.uk/Health_and...
Importantly, the amount of formaldehyde used - even under the existing E1 limit - is extremely low and is not harmful to human health. In fact, formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound found in all living things including plants, trees, and even in the human body. Everyday sources such as a bowl of fruit can release more formaldehyde into the air (typically 0.05–0.1 ppm) than MEDITE MDF panels.
Which MEDITE products does the revision apply to?
The new EU REACH restriction is only relevant for a number of MEDITE products:
FAQs
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.
Formaldehyde has long been used in MDF and similar wood-based
panels as part of the resin binder system that holds wood fibres together. It
delivers strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making MEDITE MDF one of
the most versatile and machinable materials in joinery, cabinetry, and interior
fit-outs.
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.
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 add paint that contains formaldehyde onto our MEDITE MDF panel, 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.
Please contact the paint manufacturer around the specific formaldehyde levels.
MEDITE products are tested to EN 717-1 when measuring formaldehyde emissions. This testing standard will continue for E05 products, from the point of transition.
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 meets the new REACH limit:
MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX)
MEDITE EXTERIOR
MEDITE CLEAR
MEDITE VENT
MEDITE will be updating the Declaration of Performance (DoP), safety data sheet and product data sheets. The updated documentation will be available for download when MEDITE has transitioned in early April.
Californian Air Resources Board (CARB), implemented a certification process that restricted formaldehyde emissions in wood based panels, in 2011. 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 |
E05 |
0.062 mg/m3 |
From early April, MEDITE will only be supplying E05 products. We will not be supplying E1 product.
Yes, Northern Ireland will be bound by EU law. Under the Windsor Framework (modification to the Northern Ireland Protocol, signed in February 2023), Northern Ireland continues to align with relevant EU product safety and environmental regulations, including REACH. This means the new E05 formaldehyde restriction will apply from August 2026.
There can be fines, which can vary depending on severity. The individual EU Member State can include criminal charges, but generally a fine would be issued. Each Member State will appoint a Competent Authority and may carry out market surveillance inspections.
Further information can be found here.
Learn More
On 30 January 2026, MEDITE SMARTPLY will be hosting a webinar to address specific questions and provide further insights to this new regulation.
If you have any questions on EU REACH E05, 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