Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

VOC – volatile organic compounds

For products subject to CE marking, a statement on possible indoor air-relevant emissions will be required in future. The ift certification scheme QM 359 examines products with regard to their VOC emissions.

"Volatile organic compounds" is a collective term for gaseous and vaporous substances of organic origin in the air. These are a variety of synthetic and natural substances that outgas from various interior materials and products even at room temperature.

According to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), a statement on the respective possible indoor air-relevant emissions will also be required in the future for products subject to CE marking. Similarly, various building certification systems require evidences for compliance with limit values for the construction products used. In case of DGNB and BNB certification, this is even an exclusion criterion.

With the ift certification scheme "QM 359 - VOC Emissions from Construction Products", manufacturers of doors can prove that their products are examined and assessed with regard to their VOC emissions.

Advantages at a glance

Quality assurance through accreditation for future-proof products and services

Product and industry knowledge of the ift auditors

Certification for complete or selectable product portfolio

Few measurements for product portfolio

Get a new perspective on your own product

Competitive advantages through differentiation from market competitors

Fulfil tender and general conditions

Validity of the certification of 3 years

Assessment of VOC emissions

Currently, there is no harmonized European method of evaluation for the emissions of construction products. However, in addition to a number of private-sector labeling systems, three European countries have introduced their own regulations and assessment systems, such as the AgBB scheme in Germany or Émissions dans l'air intérieur in France. As soon as products are brought into the respective markets, the national requirements prevailing there must also be fulfilled.

Within a research project of ift Rosenheim, the emission potentials of construction products such as windows and internal doors were investigated and assessed. The objective was to gather experience and knowledge as well as to develop procedures so that future amendments to product standards in this area can be prepared in a meaningful way. In addition, practical and appropriateness testing and verification methods were developed.

For this reason, ift Rosenheim has published ift-Guideline UM-01/1 [DE], which describes the method for representative sample selection and product-specific testing of VOC emissions from internal doors. On this basis, the ift certification scheme QM 359 for Evidence of Conformity for doors was created to mark the certified products with the "ift-certified" mark. The certification is valid for three years.

Procedure VOC Certification Scheme (QM359)

Step 1

Kick-off Meeting

  • Initial overview of the portfolio
  • Definition of versions to be covered
  • Offer/conclusion of certification contract
Step 2

Kick-off Surveillance Visit

  • Manufacturing analysis (assessment of factory production control)
  • Creation of a detailed product and/or variant overview
Step 3

Selection of Representative Versions

  • Selection of representative versions for short-term testing
  • Sampling, implementation of tests and analysis of screening samples
Step 4

Selection of "Worst Case" Version

  • Selection of the "worst case" version for emission chamber examination
  • Procedure and analysis of the main examination
Step 5

Handover of Certification Certificate

Confirmation of the assessment criteria

Step 6

Annual Repetition

Annual screening sample and monitoring of production

Interested in Certification of Your Products Regarding VOC Emissions?

The ift certification body accompanies you with auditors who are competent in the industry and in the field and thus assesses your products and management systems. Certification by ift Rosenheim enjoys a high level of accreditation among manufacturers, planners, dealers, specifiers and consumers.

Would you like to find out how certification by ift Rosenheim works?

ADVANTAGES OF IFT PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

Certified Companies

Under the following link you will find a list of ift-certified companies.

You can search according to the following criteria using the free search: Company, Location, Product, Subject of certification, Certificate ID (XXX-XXXXX), Certificate number.

To the certified companies

Sustainability Team of ift Rosenheim

If you have any questions about our sustainability-related services, our team of experts will be happy to help

From left to right: Florian Brechleiter, Miranda Thiele, Benedikt Dellawalle, Katharina Pscherer, Christoph Seehauser (Head of Department), Philipp Dumproff.