Certification for products with low levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in furniture

The core content of the certification

of low-VOCs furniture products focuses on the systematic control of the release of volatile organic compounds from furniture products. The core inspection is the following dimensions:

• Environmental protection control of raw materials: The VOCs content of raw materials such as wood, artificial panels, coatings, adhesives, fabrics, fillers, etc. is strictly controlled to ensure low emissions at the source. Focus on the content limits of volatile compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde in raw materials.
• Testing of VOCs emissions from finished products: Carry out hierarchical testing of volatile organic compound emissions from finished furniture products under simulated use environment, including total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), formaldehyde, benzene series (benzene, toluene, xylene) and other indicators. The testing method usually adopts the environmental test chamber method to simulate actual indoor use conditions.
• Environmental management of production process: Investigate VOCs emission control measures, clean production process application and waste treatment in the production process of enterprises, and encourage the use of low-VOCs alternative technologies such as water-based paints and solvent-free adhesives.
• Enterprise quality control system: Evaluate the standardization and effectiveness of the quality management system, personnel training, raw material incoming inspection, production process monitoring and finished product delivery inspection related to enterprise VOCs control.

Certification level and evaluation system

The certification of low-VOCs furniture products usually adopts a hierarchical evaluation system, which is divided into different levels according to the level of VOCs emission:

• Classification basis: According to GB/T 35607-2017 and other standards, the VOCs emissions of different categories of furniture products are set Classification limit.
• Classification characteristics: Certification indicator requirements are usually higher than national mandatory standards, reflecting the characteristics of "higher indicator requirements and stronger industry leadership." Graded certification helps consumers choose products with different environmental protection levels according to their own needs, and also provides companies with differentiated competition paths.
• Scope of application: Covering all categories of furniture products such as wooden furniture, soft furniture, metal furniture, bamboo and rattan furniture, and plastic furniture.

Certification process

The certification of low-VOCs furniture products is usually divided into the following stages:

• application and acceptance: Submit application materials (business license, product description, raw material list, production process flow chart, product type inspection report, VOCs control system documents, etc.), and the certification body Conduct application review to confirm that the product and enterprise meet the basic requirements for certification.
• Basic information collection and document review: Review the compliance of product data with certification technical specifications, and verify VOCs control measures in product design, raw material procurement, production process control and other aspects.
• Entrusted testing: Personnel assigned by the certification body will go to the production site or finished product warehouse to take samples, and the samples will be sent to a qualified laboratory for testing, focusing on testing indicators such as VOCs released from finished products and VOCs content in raw materials. The testing cycle is usually 1-3 months, depending on the product type and the complexity of the testing item.
• On-site audit: Carry out on-site audits of production enterprises, including personnel interviews, document record inspections, production site inspections, raw material warehouse inspections, operation inspections of VOCs emission control facilities, etc., to evaluate the company's quality assurance capabilities and its ability to continuously and stably produce qualified products.
• Evaluation and approval of certification results: For the non-conformities found in the audit, the enterprise completes the rectification and submits evidence within the specified time limit. After review by the audit team, the technical review passes and issues a certification certificate.
• Supervision after certification: Supervision and review shall be carried out once a year after certification. The first supervision and review after the initial certification shall be carried out within 12 months from the certification decision date. Thereafter, the supervision and review interval shall not exceed 12 months. Supervision and sampling shall be carried out if necessary. Test to confirm that the product and quality system continue to meet the certification requirements.
• Re-certification review: Re-certification review is carried out before the certificate expires to renew the certification qualification. The cycle is usually three years.

Certification value

• protects consumers 'respiratory health: Through strict VOCs emission control, we ensure that furniture products will not pollute indoor air quality during use, and reduce the potential health risks of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene series, especially Protect sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
• Improve product market competitiveness: Certification certificates can be used as a core bonus in government procurement, procurement by public institutions such as hospitals and schools, and bidding activities for large enterprises. Certified products can use certification marks on their packaging or promotional materials to prove their leadership in low VOCs emissions and establish consumer trust.
• Create differentiated competitive advantages: Help companies accurately position themselves in homogeneous competition, seize health and environmental protection tracks, and enhance product added value and brand recognition. Through certification endorsement, companies can convey the brand image of "breath-friendly" furniture to consumers.
• Responding to national environmental protection policies: Comply with policy orientations such as the national "14th Five-Year Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds", demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and enjoy relevant policy support. Certification of low VOCs products has become an important path for the green transformation of furniture companies.
• Guide consumers to make scientific choices: Certification marks help consumers simply identify furniture products with truly low VOCs, bid farewell to blind shopping, and use them with peace of mind to protect family health. Against the background of increasing consumer attention to indoor air quality, certification marks have become an important reference for purchasing decisions.
• Standardize production, improve quality and efficiency: The certification process forces companies to optimize production processes, replace high-VOCs raw materials (such as solvent-based coatings using water-based paints), standardize production processes, improve product quality, and achieve a virtuous cycle of cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

“家具中总挥发性有机化合物(TVOC)限量产品认证”是一种针对家具产品中挥发性有机化合物释放量进行的专门评估与分级认证机制。该认证旨在通过严格的限值要求与分级标准，来评估家具产品在化学排放方面的性能，从而保障室内空气质量以及消费者的健康。该认证主要依据GB18584-2024等相关的技术规范，对家具产品的原材料、生产工艺以及成品中的TVOC释放量进行全面检测。符合要求的产品将获得分级认证证书，其有效期为三年。

“家具中总挥发性有机化合物(TVOC)限量产品认证”着重于对家具产品中挥发性有机化合物释放量的系统化管理与控制。其核心评估内容包括以下几点：

• **原材料环保控制**：对木材、人造板、涂料、胶粘剂、面料、填充物等原材料中的TVOC含量进行严格控制，确保从源头上减少污染物排放。特别关注苯、甲苯、二甲苯、甲醛等挥发性化合物的含量限制。
• **成品释放量检测**：在模拟实际使用环境下，对家具成品的挥发性有机化合物释放量进行分级检测，包括总挥发性有机化合物(TVOC)、甲醛、苯系物(苯、甲苯、二甲苯)等指标。检测通常采用环境测试舱法，以模拟真实的室内使用环境。
• **生产过程环境管理**：评估企业在生产过程中的排放控制措施、清洁生产技术的应用情况以及废弃物处理方式。鼓励使用水性漆、无溶剂胶粘剂等替代技术。
• **企业质量控制体系**：评估企业在TVOC控制方面相关的质量管理制度、人员培训、原材料入场检验、生产过程监控以及成品出厂检验等方面的规范性和有效性。

Key Benefits of Certification

Value of Certification

• Ensuring consumer health: Through strict control over TVOC emissions, this certification ensures that furniture products do not pollute indoor air quality during use. It reduces the risk of health issues caused by volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene, especially for sensitive groups like children, elderly people, and pregnant women.
• Enhancing market competitiveness: A certification certificate can be used as a key criterion in government procurement, public institution purchases, and large-scale bidding processes. Certified products can display the certification mark on their packaging or promotional materials, demonstrating their excellence in TVOC emissions and building trust with consumers.
• Creating a competitive advantage: This certification helps companies position themselves effectively in a highly competitive market, allowing them to gain a edge in the healthy and environmentally friendly product segment. By obtaining certification, companies can convey the image of “breathable” furniture to consumers.
• Compliance with national environmental policies: This certification aligns with national policies such as the “14th Five-Year Plan” for comprehensive management of volatile organic compounds. It demonstrates a company’s commitment to social responsibility and enables access to relevant policy support. TVOC certification has become an essential pathway for furniture companies to achieve green transformation.
• Guiding consumers’ choices: The certification mark helps consumers easily identify furniture products that are truly environmentally friendly. This eliminates the need for blind purchasing decisions, allowing consumers to use products that protect the health of their families. With increasing attention to indoor air quality, the certification mark becomes an important factor in purchasing decisions.
• Improving production standards: The certification process forces companies to optimize production processes, standardize production procedures, and enhance product quality. This leads to a virtuous cycle of cost reduction and efficiency improvement.