Your regular update for technical and industry information
Your regular update for technical and industry information
JULY 2023 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS, HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS
On 17 July 2023, the European Union’s Official Journal (OJEU) published Regulation (EU) 2023/14641, which added a new restriction on formaldehyde released from articles under Annex XVII to REACH regulation as entry 77.
The new restriction concerns consumer exposure to formaldehyde in indoor environments. Formaldehyde is mainly used as a chemical intermediate in the production of formaldehyde-based resins and other chemicals. Formaldehyde-based resins are used in the production of a wide variety of articles which may release formaldehyde. Such formaldehyde-based resins are also used in the production of other wood-based products like furniture and flooring, wallpapers, foams, parts for road vehicles and aircraft, textile and leather products. Taking into account the Annex XV dossier as well as the opinions from Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC), the European Commission (EC) considers that there is an unacceptable risk to human health arising from formaldehyde released from articles, and a REACH Annex XVII restriction establishing an emission limit for articles emitting formaldehyde is required to address the risk.
The new restriction sets a general 36-month transition period, and will apply after 6 August 2026.
Restriction on formaldehyde released from articles
Target substance | Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances |
Scope of restriction |
Articles |
Limit |
a) ≤ 0.062 mg/m3 for wood-based articles and furniture, the interior of road vehicles; |
Exemption |
|
Date of application |
After 6 August 2026 (for the road vehicles, the application date is after 6 August 2027) |
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