5.HPL and the environment
The abbreviation VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) refers to the group of volatile organic compounds. VOCs describe gaseous and vaporous substances of organic origin in the air. These include, for example hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and organic acids.
Experts differentiate VOCs into very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). The sum of the concentrations of all VOCs gives the TVOC value (Total Volatile Organic Compounds).
Reference room
The European reference room in EN 16516 defines the exposure factors for the various applications (wall, floor, ceiling, door). It does not correspond to the dimensions of the emission test chamber.
Room dimensions: 3 m x 4 m x 2.5 m (L x W x H) = 30 m³
Door 0.8 m x 2 m (W x H) = 1.6 m²
Window = 2.0 m²
Load factors:
| Wall | 1.0 m²/m³ |
| Floor/ceiling | 0.4 m²/m³ |
| Wall + ceiling | 1.4 m²/m³ |
| Door (small area) | 0.05 m²/m³ |
French Environmental VOC Label
Since 2013, all building and decoration products sold in France must bear a label in accordance with Decree No. 2011-321 of the French Official Journal. The aim of this measure is to promote the use of low-emission building materials. The responsibility lies with the product manufacturer. The only obligation is to affix the relevant label to the product or its packaging. The label on the products contains a letter indicating the highest emission values and thus the worst emission class of the listed individual substances (VOCs) and the total content (TVOC) of volatile organic compounds.
The four performance classes (A+, A, B, C) range from A+ for products with virtually no VOC emissions to category C, which covers products with tolerable emission levels. Products with emissions exceeding these levels may not be marketed in France.
German AgBB scheme
The German Committee for Health-related evaluation of Building Products (AgBB), developed test criteria and, based on these criteria, the AgBB evaluation scheme for VOC emissions from building products. It is also the basis for many voluntary test labels, such as the Blauer Engel (Blue Angel) or the natureplus ecolabel.
Belgian VOC Regulation
Belgian VOC regulation became mandatory for construction products traded on the Belgian market on 1 January 2015.
This regulation is the third national regulation in Europe concerning emissions from construction products, after the German AgBB regulation and the French A/A+ VOC regulation, which are already in force.
VOC limit values
The following table summarises the limit values of the most important European construction product regulations.
Parameter | French VOC Regulation | German AgBB scheme | Belgian VOC Regulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde in µg/m³ | < 10 | < 60 | ≤ 100 | ≤ 100 |
| TVOC in µg/m³ | < 1000 | < 1500 | ≤ 1000 | ≤ 1000 |
| R-value | - | - | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1 |
| Carcinogenic VOC class 1A or 1B in µg/m³ | < 1 | < 1 | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1 |
The table below summarizes typical values from HPL and HPL Composite panels for construction products and furniture. Manufacturer-specific test certificates must be requested from the manufacturer if required.
| Parameter | HPL | Compact | HPL composite panels1 | HPL worktops1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde in µg/m³ | < 30 | < 30 | < 30 | < 50 |
| TVOC in µg/m³ | < 5 | < 5 | < 30 | < 50 |
| R-value | < 0.3 | < 0.3 | < 0.3 | < 0.5 |
| Carcinogenic VOC class 1A or 1B in µg/m³ | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
HPL and HPL Compact panels are certified to comply with all national VOC regulations in Europe. Their VOC emission potential is very low, with formaldehyde as the main relevant substance. HPL and Compact panels have a total VOC emission rate of less than 0.5% of the limit values.
HPL bonded to wood-based substrates (chipboard, MDF) to form HPL Composite panels or worktops even reduces formaldehyde gas emissions from the substrate due to the closed melamine surface which acts as a barrier.
| Emission | Emission of substances into the air |
| VOC | Volatile organic compounds between hexane and hexadecane (C6 – C16) |
| SVOC | Semi-volatile organic compounds with a boiling point > hexadecane |
| VVOC | Very volatile organic compounds with a boiling point < hexane |
| TVOC | Total content of volatile organic compounds (calculated as the sum of all individual volatile organic compounds and expressed as toluene equivalents) |
| LCI value | Lowest concentration of interest (German acronym: NIK) |
| R-value | The sum of the individual concentrations divided by the corresponding LCI value |
| CMR | Cancerogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances |
| ISO 16000-9 | Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds from building products and furnishing - Emission test chamber method |
| EN 16516 | Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air |
