EU Restricts Formaldehyde Releases From Articles under REACH

On July 17, 2023, the European Union issued Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 to set the emission limits for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances from articles. It shall enter into force 20 days following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

The Regulation introduces the new entry 77 to Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). In addition, it also specifies the measurement of formaldehyde released to indoor air from articles as well as formaldehyde concentration in the interiors of vehicles.

Highlights of the added entry are summarized below:

Chemical	Scope	Limits	Exemption	Effective Date
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances	Furniture and wood-based articles	0.062 mg/m³	Articles in which formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasing substances are exclusively naturally present in the materials from which the articles are manufactured; Articles exclusively for outdoor use under foreseeable conditions; Articles in constructions, that are exclusively used outside the building shell and vapor barrier and that do not emit formaldehyde into indoor air; Articles exclusively for industrial or professional use unless formaldehyde released from these leads to exposure of the general public under foreseeable conditions of use; Articles laid down in entry 72 to Annex XVII of REACH Regulation; Biocidal products (Regulation (EU) 528/2012); Medical devices (Regulation (EU) 2017/745); Personal protective equipment (Regulation (EU) 2016/425); Food contact materials and articles (Regulation (EU) 1935/2004); Second-hand articles.	After August 6, 2026
	Articles other than furniture and wood-based articles	0.080 mg/m³		After August 6, 2026
	Interior of road vehicles	0.062 mg/m³	Road vehicles exclusively for industrial or professional use unless the concentration of formaldehyde in the interior of those vehicles leads to exposure of the general public under foreseeable conditions of use; Second-hand vehicles.	After August 6, 2027

Formaldehyde is a highly reactive gas at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. It is classified as carcinogen category 1B, mutagen category 2, acute toxicant category 3, skin corrosive category 1B and skin sensitiser category 1 under CLP Regulation.