Formaldehyde Legislation: Changes in August 2026 and what you need to do about it

From August 2026, new EU restrictions on formaldehyde emissions will take effect under Regulation (EU) 2023/1464, part of an update to the REACH Regulation. These changes were introduced because:

• Formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, with well‑documented health impacts in indoor environments

• The EU aims to significantly reduce indoor air pollution from manufactured products

• Adhesives and resins used in wood‑based materials, furniture, and construction products are among the largest contributors to formaldehyde emissions

To address this, the regulation sets strict maximum emission limits for products placed on the EU market. Compliance must be demonstrated using standard chamber test methods such as EN 717-1 and EN 16516.

Although the UK is not required to follow EU REACH, any UK manufacturer exporting to the EU must meet these standards to maintain market access. Many sustainability frameworks (BREEAM, LEED, IAQ certifications) are also moving in the same direction, making lower‑emission products commercially advantageous even for UK projects.