EN 717-2: 1995

Wood-based Panels – Determination of Formaldehyde Release – Formaldehyde release by the gas analysis method

While this has been superseded by EN ISO 12460-3, it is still currently referenced in EN 13986 and the details are given here.

Part 2 gives an accelerated method of determining formaldehyde release from plywood and LVL.  Under EN 13986, this method is used for the purpose of factory production control procedures for both release classifications E 1 and E2.  It can also be used for initial type testing for release classification E2 panels.

Emission classification and release values for initial type testing and factory production control purposes, for plywood and LVL only

Formaldehyde Release Classification	Initial Type Testing	Factory Production Control
E1	n/a	Release ≤ 3.5 mg/m2h or ≤ 5 mg/m2h within 3 days after production
E2	Release > 3.5 to ≤ 8 mg/m2h or >5 to ≤12 mg/m2 h within 3 days after production	Release >3.5 to ≤8 mg/m2h or >5 to ≤12 mg/m2 h within 3 days after production

For OSB formaldehyde emission: refer to EN 120 : 1992 – Wood-based panels – determination of formaldehyde content – Extraction method called the perforator method. Although EN 120 has been superseded by EN ISO 12460-5, it is currently still referenced in EN 13986 and given here.