3. Is Eco-Friendly Wood Truly Formaldehyde-Free?
Eco-friendly board materials are regulated by standards, which are generally similar across countries. In Europe, the classification uses the letter “E”; in Taiwan, it’s “F”; and in Japan, it’s “F” with star ratings.
We’ve summarized the classifications in the table below (Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Eco-Friendly Boards)：
📌 Notes:
- EU E1 is the minimum requirement for construction boards; E0 is a voluntary stricter label.
- Japan’s F★★★★ is the highest grade, suitable for interior use.
- Taiwan’s standards are similar to Japan’s, with different naming conventions.
However, the toxic substances released from board materials are not limited to formaldehyde.
More importantly, the current standards do not account for emissions from veneer, paint, paint additives, adhesives, and other components.
And here’s the key question:
Do you know how these values are actually measured?
How do they compare to real-life conditions?
Let’s take Taiwan’s CNS2215 standard as an example.
The sampling method requires a board piece that includes the cross-sectional area, with a total surface area close to 1,800 cm²—roughly a 40 cm × 40 cm board.
Before testing, the sample must be placed in a well-ventilated indoor space for seven days, and the result only reflects the amount of emissions released over 24 hours.
So… do you see the problem here?
- 📏 Only a 40 cm square sample!
- 🕒 It must sit for 7 days before testing!
- ⏳ The result only shows 24 hours of emissions!
In other words, even the highest-grade board material—Super E0, with a release level of 0.3 ppm (and a very high price)—is measured based on that single 40 cm × 40 cm sample.
Now, take a moment to calculate how much board material is actually used in your home renovation.
For example, if you have a cabinet that’s 6 feet by 8 feet and 40 cm deep, with a shelf every 30 cm, you’re using approximately 70 pieces of 40 cm × 40 cm board.
That means the daily formaldehyde emission could reach 21 ppm.
⚠️ And remember—that’s per day!
If your indoor ventilation is poor, the concentration can accumulate daily, posing serious health risks.