French A+ VOC Label

VOC regulation for construction and furnishing products

Since Jan 1st, 2012, construction products, decoration and furnishing products to be traded in France for the first time are to be labelled with an emissions classification on the basis of VOC emissions tests. This is stated in the “Décret n° 2011-321” having been published on March 25th, 2011.

Since Sept 1st, 2013, this obligatory emissions classification and labelling regulation also applies to products which are already on the French market.

This mark has to be applied additionally to the CE mark (if required for the respective product).

The basis of testing is ISO 16000, thus equating that in Germany legally required method the Committee for Health-Related Evaluation of Building Products (AgBB) and the German Institute for Engineering (DIBt) take as basis.

Currently the French government is planning to launch also a furniture emissions label. (s.also news)

Limit values French A+ VOC Label*

The limit values of the emissions classes refer to the total of the VOC emissions and also to the evaluation of 10 single substances (in μg/m3).

Substance / Emissions class
 A+ A B C
Formaldehyde < 10 < 60 < 120 > 120
Acetaldehyde < 200 < 300 < 400 > 400
Toluol < 300 < 450 < 600 > 600
Tetrachlorethen < 250 < 350 < 500 > 500
Xylene < 200 < 300 < 400 > 400
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene < 1000 < 1500  < 2000 > 2000
1,4-Dichlorbenzene < 60 < 90 < 120 > 120
Ethylbenzene < 750 < 1000 < 1500 > 1500
2-Butoxyethanol < 1000 < 1500 < 2000 > 2000
Styrene < 250 < 350 < 500 > 500
TVOC < 1000 < 1500 < 2000 > 2000

*The limit values, the label template and the final details on the new French regulation are to be found in the “Arrêté etiquetage 2011” having been passed on May 13, 2011.

Overview European VOC emission limit values after 28 days

Substance / Limit value after 28 days AgBB 2021 Belgian VOC regulation 2014 French VOC regulation A+ 2011
TVOC ≤ 1,0 mg/m3 ≤ 1000 μg/m3 ≤ 1000 μg/m3
TSVOC ≤ 0,1 mg/m3 ≤ 100 μg/m3 not defined
Toloule ≤ 2900 μg/m3* ≤ 300 μg/m3 < 300 μg/m3
Formaldehyde ≤ 100 μg/m3* ≤ 100 μg/m3 < 10 μg/m3
Acetaldehyde ≤ 300 μg/m3* ≤ 200 μg/m3 < 200 μg/m3
CMR substances 1A & 1B ≤ 1 μg/m3 (only C substances) ≤ 1 μg/m3 ≤ 1 μg/m3 (CMR regulation)
R value ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1
TVOC w/o LCI ≤ 0,1 mg/m3 not defined not defined

*) NIK, LCI, CLI

Subject to change without notice; last update: May 30th, 2023

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For the French VOC regulation the following products can be tested* by eco-INSTITUT**:
  • Floor coverings
  • Paints
  • Varnishes
  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Wall coverings
  • Ceiling panels
  • Furnishings

*on the basis of AgBB scheme tests

**Please note: the French label is not awarded by eco-INSTITUT itself. The French label is a manufacturer declaration which is to be provided by proofs. (s. also notes).

PLEASE NOTE 1: this French VOC regulation is not to be confused with tests according to the so called AFSSET scheme. This one will continue to exist, as before on a voluntary basis, being, however, far more detailled and thus more descriptive.

Please note 2: Different from the German approval procedure the French specifications are to be provided by the manufacturer who is responsible for the accuracy of statement. S/he also has to ensure that additionally to the emissions classification the following explanation can be found:

*Information sur le niveau d’émission de substances volatiles dans l’air intérieur, présentant un risque de toxicité par inhalation, sur une échelle de classe allant de A+ (très faibles émissions) à C (fortes émissions)

The placing of it, however, is not set.

Apart from the French VOC decree, in France a CMR regulation (CMR=carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or reprotoxic substances) is effective since January 2010: i.e. construction products may only be traded in France if, after 28 days, they feature emissions less than 1μg/m3 of each trichloroethylene, benzene, DEHP and DBP. As norm series the ISO 16000 also is stated.

Since DEHP and DPB, however, are not traceable via this specification, we offer you an additional evalutation regarding these substances.

*further infos on legifrance.gouv.fr

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