When does the new EU formaldehyde limit for plywood take effect?
6 August 2026. From that date, REACH Annex XVII Entry 77 caps formaldehyde emissions from wood-based articles placed on the EU market at 0.062 mg/m³ measured by the EN 717-1 chamber method. The restriction is now in force — there is no grace period and no transition tier.
What is REACH Annex XVII Entry 77?
Entry 77 was added to REACH Annex XVII by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 of 14 July 2023. It restricts formaldehyde emissions from articles placed on the EU market: 0.062 mg/m³ for furniture and wood-based articles, 0.080 mg/m³ for textiles, leather and polymer-based articles. The restriction applies from 6 August 2026 and is the rule importers must meet today.
Is the test method for plywood under REACH EN 717-1 or EN 16516?
ECHA recommends EN 717-1 (28-day chamber method) for wood-based panels because the standard was developed for this material class. EN 16516 is also formally permitted under Regulation (EU) 2023/1464, but it typically reads higher on the same panel because of chamber loading and air-exchange differences. For panels near the 0.062 mg/m³ ceiling, EN 717-1 is the practical choice and the method most mills test to.
Does PF or MUF film-faced plywood meet the 0.062 mg/m³ limit?
Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) bonded film-faced plywood — such as Vinawood Pro Form, Pro Form Lite and the HDO range — sits comfortably below the limit because cured PF is a chemically stable thermoset with very low free-formaldehyde release. Melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) bonded panels (Form Basic, Form Extra at EN 636-2) typically need reformulated resin chemistry and a solid test report to prove 0.062 mg/m³ on EN 717-1. A phenolic face film alone does not equal Class 3 core glue.
What documents are needed for plywood imports into the EU under Entry 77?
On every shipment: Declaration of Performance under EN 13986 (CE marking basis); EN 717-1 chamber test report dated within 12 months from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory showing a result below 0.062 mg/m³; REACH Annex XVII Entry 77 compliance declaration referencing that test report; EUR.1 certificate of origin when EVFTA preference is claimed; FSC or PEFC chain-of-custody if sustainability claims are made; and an Article 33 SVHC status declaration.
Does CE marking under EN 13986 satisfy REACH Annex XVII?
No. CE marking under EN 13986 requires a Declaration of Performance covering structural and durability characteristics, with the formaldehyde portion historically defaulting to the E1 tier (0.124 mg/m³). The EN 717-1 chamber test result must additionally satisfy the Annex XVII Entry 77 ceiling of 0.062 mg/m³. A panel can be CE-marked under EN 13986 at E1 and still fail Annex XVII at customs. Both documents are needed on every shipment.
