New Safety Standard in China to Prevent Use of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Indoor Wooden Furniture

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has circulated a proposal from China to adopt a new version of GB 18584 for chemicals in indoor wooden furniture. The proposed date of entry into force is the second quarter of 2016.

On 22 July 2015, the WTO circulated a proposal (1) from the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) to adopt a new version of GB 18584 for indoor wooden furniture. This new standard:

- Sets emission limits for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)
- Sets migration limits for heavy metals and
- Mandates the use of GB/T 31106-2014 (Testing for VOCs in furniture), GB/T 31107 (Testing conditions for chamber in testing VOCs in furniture) and GB 6675.4-2014 (Toy safety – migration of certain elements)    

GB Standard Compliance Deadline

According to the notification in document number 15-3746, the proposed date of adoption is 90 days after circulation by the WTO and the proposed date of entry into force is 6 months after the date of adoption; second quarter (Q2) of 2016.

Changes for VOCs in Furniture Summarized

Highlights of the proposed new standard, GB18584 – - XX XX, are summarized in a table in the latest Safeguards bulletin.

Reference:

(1) European Commission: Notification Detail: National Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Limit of Volatile Organic Compounds and Migration of Heavy Metal of Wood Based Furniture

About SGS Hardgoods Services

SGS services enable customers to deliver well – designed, functional, durable and safe products to their customers. SGS has furniture industry, regulatory and technical expertise and manufacturing control to check products’ compliance against relevant standards and /or specifications.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert for further information.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hingwo Tsang
Global Toys and Juvenile Products Information and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
1/F On Wui Centre
25 Lok Yip Road
Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong, China

t: +852 2774 7420
Email: [email protected]  
Website: http://www.sgs.com/hardgoods
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.