In November 2024, Association for Control of Emissions in Products for Floor Installation, Adhesives and Building Materials (GEV) published new GEV classification criteria and an updated GEV testing method.

The new requirements for Emission Controlled Products for Wooden Floor Surface Treatments, as well as Lacquers, Finishes and Oils for Mineral Floors and Lacquers for Resilient Floor Coverings and the Award of the EMICODE, the new requirements for Emission Controlled Installation Products, Adhesives and Building Materialsand Award of the EMICODE and the new GEV testing method Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds for Classification in the EMICODE system replace the previous versions from September 2023 (classification criteria) and November 2023 (test method).

The changes at a glance

• Classification

  • K1A/B substances
    • The sum requirement value for K1A/B substances has been tightened. This is now < 10 µg/m³ after 3 days and < 1 µg/m³ after 28 days (previously: ≤ 10 µg/m³ after 3 days and ≤ 1 µg/m³ after 28 days)
    • K1A/B substances for which a LCI value is defined are no longer assessed as K1A/B. This regulation corresponds to the regulation from the AgBB scheme 2024.
    • KMR1A/B substances may not be used in a product unless they do not emit into indoor air. This results in an indirect emission requirement for mutagenic and reprotoxic substances.
  • Formaldehyde
    • A new requirement value for formaldehyde after 28 days has been introduced. This is ≤ 10 µg/m³. (Formaldehyde was previously only assessed separately after 3 days).
  • R-value
    • The evaluation of the R-value after 28 days for emission class EC1 has been newly introduced: The requirement is ≤ 1 (previously this was only the case for EC1 Plus)

• For sample preparation:

  • GEV no longer specifies the loading factor for emission testing. From now on, manufacturers must inform the test laboratory which loading factor is to be used, but no more than 1.0 m²/m³.

Go to GEV test methode as of November 7th, 2024

Go to classification criteria Products for Floor Surface Treatments as of November 7th, 2024

Go to classification criteria Installation Materials as of November 7th, 2024

Source: https://www.emicode.com/downloads/ (last accessed on 13 December 2024)

GEV approved test lab

eco-INSTITUT is a approved GEV test laboratory and is authorised to test installation products, joint-tight and insulation products, surface treatment agents for parquet, and solvents according to the EMICODE® criteria. Please contact us! You can also find further information here.