Beginning January 1, 2014, national technical approvals will be required for decorative wall coverings designed for indoor use in Germany. This regulation will apply to panelling of cylindrical and plate-type shapes (according to standard EN 15102) made from synthetic and cork materials as well as glass fibre and photo wallpaper.
"Test data from the AgBB schema may be leveraged to show acceptance or compliance with multiple program requirements. This means that manufacturers can use these results to pursue marks of conformity such as the French A+ VOC regulation, and the Finnish M1 or the eco-INSTITUT-Label," explains Daniel Tigges, marketing manager of UL ECO-INSTITUT in Cologne. "Also, it is possible to extend these tests to U.S. standards such as the LEED Building Certification System."
Specifications from the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) require emission tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be performed on the products in test chambers according to the ISO 16000 standard. The basis of this emission testing comes from the Committee for Health-related evaluation of Building Products (AgBB) scheme.
At present, manufacturers need national technical approvals of emission testing for resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings; wooden and parquet flooring; and parquet adhesives and coatings. Floor covering adhesives and parquet and laminate flooring underlay must also meet this requirement as of January 1, 2012. After January 2014, only approved wall coverings can be sold for indoor use in Germany, as specified in the Building Rule List B Part 1 2012/1 in attachment 1/9.3. Wallpaper made of paper is grandfathered into this regulation. UL ECO-INSTITUT is a DIBt-approved testing, inspection, and certification body for these products.
About UL Environment
UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals-and help purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.
About UL
UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing nearly 9,000 professionals in 46 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units - Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and Knowledge Services - to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing and certification facilities, go to UL.com.
"Test data from the AgBB schema may be leveraged to show acceptance or compliance with multiple program requirements. This means that manufacturers can use these results to pursue marks of conformity such as the French A+ VOC regulation, and the Finnish M1 or the eco-INSTITUT-Label," explains Daniel Tigges, marketing manager of UL ECO-INSTITUT in Cologne. "Also, it is possible to extend these tests to U.S. standards such as the LEED Building Certification System."
Specifications from the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) require emission tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be performed on the products in test chambers according to the ISO 16000 standard. The basis of this emission testing comes from the Committee for Health-related evaluation of Building Products (AgBB) scheme.
At present, manufacturers need national technical approvals of emission testing for resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings; wooden and parquet flooring; and parquet adhesives and coatings. Floor covering adhesives and parquet and laminate flooring underlay must also meet this requirement as of January 1, 2012. After January 2014, only approved wall coverings can be sold for indoor use in Germany, as specified in the Building Rule List B Part 1 2012/1 in attachment 1/9.3. Wallpaper made of paper is grandfathered into this regulation. UL ECO-INSTITUT is a DIBt-approved testing, inspection, and certification body for these products.
About UL Environment
UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals-and help purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.
About UL
UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing nearly 9,000 professionals in 46 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units - Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and Knowledge Services - to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing and certification facilities, go to UL.com.
