SIST EN ISO 12460-2:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2025
Lesne plošče - Ugotavljanje sproščanja formaldehida - 2. del: Metoda z majhno
komoro (ISO 12460-2:2024)
Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 2: Small-scale
chamber method (ISO 12460-2:2024)
Holzwerkstoffe - Bestimmung der Formaldehydabgabe - Teil 2:
Kleinprüfkammerverfahren (ISO 12460-2:2024)
Panneaux à base de bois - Détermination du dégagement de formaldéhyde - Partie 2:
Méthode à la petite chambre (ISO 12460-2:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 12460-2:2025
ICS:
79.060.01 Lesne plošče na splošno Wood-based panels in
general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 12460-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
February 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 79.060.01
English Version
Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde
release - Part 2: Small-scale chamber method (ISO 12460-
2:2024)
Panneaux à base de bois - Détermination du Holzwerkstoffe - Bestimmung der Formaldehydabgabe
dégagement de formaldéhyde - Partie 2: Méthode à la - Teil 2: Kleinprüfkammerverfahren (ISO 12460-
petite chambre (ISO 12460-2:2024) 2:2024)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 February 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 12460-2:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO 12460-2:2024 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 89 "Wood-based
panels” of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as
which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2025, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by August 2025.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 12460-2:2024 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 12460-2:2025 without any
modification.
International
Standard
ISO 12460-2
Second edition
Wood-based panels —
2024-02
Determination of formaldehyde
release —
Part 2:
Small-scale chamber method
Panneaux à base de bois — Détermination du dégagement de
formaldéhyde —
Partie 2: Méthode à la petite chambre
Reference number
ISO 12460-2:2024(en) © ISO 2024

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General . 2
5 Significance and use . 2
6 Interferences . 3
7 Apparatus . 3
7.1 Test chamber .3
7.1.1 General .3
7.1.2 Air exchange rate .3
7.1.3 Air circulation .3
7.1.4 Make-up air .3
7.1.5 Equipment for monitoring of test conditions .3
7.1.6 Air sampling port .3
7.2 Air sampling system .4
7.2.1 Sampling system for wet-chemistry analysis .4
7.2.2 Direct sampling .5
8 Sample material handling and specimen conditioning . 5
8.1 Handling .5
8.2 Test specimen .5
8.3 Conditioning.6
8.4 Sealing of test piece edges .6
9 Procedure . 6
9.1 Test conditions .6
9.2 Test procedure for materials .7
9.3 Air sampling .7
9.4 Analysis of air samples .7
9.4.1 General .7
9.4.2 Equivalence of analytical procedures – General requirements .7
10 Calculation . 8
11 Determination of air exchange rate . 9
12 Test report . 9
Annex A (informative) Test chambers .11
Annex B (informative) Conversion of formaldehyde test results .23
Annex C (normative) Analytical procedure of formaldehyde determination .27
Annex D (informative) Establishing of a correlation .56
Bibliography .75

iii
ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 89, Wood-based panels.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12460-2:2018), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— implementation of different chamber sizes, analytical procedures, re-calculation of results to other
standard parameters and establish a correlation between reference chamber method and the method
used for factory production control.
A list of all parts in the ISO 12460 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
International Standard ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Wood-based panels — Determination of formaldehyde
release —
Part 2:
Small-scale chamber method
1 Scope
This document specifies a procedure for a chamber test with different options of chamber sizes to measure
the formaldehyde concentrations in air from wood products under defined test conditions of temperature,
relative humidity, loading and air exchange rate.
Results obtained from this small-scale chamber test method can be used for quality control (factory
production control – ‘FPC’) based on correlation established by reference chamber test methods according
to ISO, EN or ASTM standards. The establishment of a correlation is described in Annex D.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
air exchange rate
N
3 3
quotient of air volume Q passing through the chamber per hour (m /h) and the chamber volume (m )
−1
expressed in (h )
3.2
loading ratio
L
total exposed surface area, excluding panel edges, of the product being tested divided by the test chamber’s
2 3
volume (m /m )
3.3
make-up airflow
Q
quantity of conditioned and filtered air fed into the chamber per unit time, in m /h
3.4
Q/A ratio
3 2
ratio of air flow through the chamber (Q) to sample surface area (A), in m /h m

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
3.5
sample surface area
A
total area of all sample faces exposed in the chamber, in m
3.6
measured concentration
C
formaldehyde concentration (expressed in mg/m and/or ppm rounded to 2 decimal places) under the
defined environmental test parameters of this method. In the case of a establishing a correlation, it can be
advantageous to round the results to 3 decimal places
3.7
chamber volume
V
interior volume of the test chamber, in m
4 General
This document specifies the measurement to quantify the amount of formaldehyde in an air sample from
a test chamber accepted in a range of sizes (examples are described in Annex A) and as determined by
different analytical methods as specified in Annex C. Other analytical procedures may be used to determine
the quantity of formaldehyde in the air sample provided that such methods give equivalent results. The test
report shall include full description of the analytical procedure employed.
The values stated in SI units are the standard values. Any values given in parentheses are for information
only.
NOTE This document does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is
the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate health and safety practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
5 Significance and use
5.1 Various national and regional regulations on formaldehyde emission levels have been established for
wood panels. This international test method was adapted from chamber test methods specified in different
EN, ISO and ASTM standards. This test method provides a means of testing smaller samples and reduces the
time required for testing compared with a reference chamber method.
5.2 Formaldehyde concentration levels obtained by this small-scale chamber method can differ from
expected in full-scale indoor environments. Variations in product loading, temperature, relative humidity,
and air exchange will affect formaldehyde emission rates and thus likely indoor air formaldehyde
concentrations.
3 3
5.3 This test method is applicable for the use of a chambers from 0,004 m to 1 m in volume (see examples
in Annex A) to evaluate the formaldehyde concentration in air using the following controlled conditions
which are defined within this standard method:
a) conditioning of specimens prior to testing;
b) exposed surface area of the specimens in the test chamber;
c) edge sealing;
d) test chamber temperature and relative humidity;
e) the Q/A ratio;
f) air exchange rate within the chamber.

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
6 Interferences
Interferences of the used analytical methods should be determined by reference to other applicable standard
test methods.
7 Apparatus
7.1 Test chamber
7.1.1 General
3 3
The interior volume of the small chamber shall be between 0,004 m and 1 m (examples see Annex A).
The interior of the test chamber shall be free of refrigeration coils that condense water and items such
as humidifiers with water reservoirs since water has the potential for collecting formaldehyde and thus
influencing test results. The interior surfaces of the small chamber, including any sample support system,
shall be a non-absorbent material. For example, stainless steel, aluminium, and polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) have been found appropriate as chamber lining materials. All joints except for doors used for loading
and unloading specimens should be sealed. Doors shall be self-sealing.
7.1.2 Air exchange rate
The clean and conditioned air supply to the chamber shall either be monitored continuously or frequently
during testing.
The air exchange rate shall not vary by more than ±5 %.
The effective air exchange shall be regularly checked, by using e.g. either a calibrated gas meter, or the tracer
gas procedure (see Clause 11).
7.1.3 Air circulation
Low speed mixing fans or multi-port inlet and outlet diffusers are two techniques that have been used
successfully to ensure mixing of the chamber air over all sample surfaces. If the air exchange is higher than
10/h mixing fans are not necessary.
7.1.4 Make-up air
The make-up air should come from a filtered dust-free environment and contain no more than 0,006 mg/m
of formaldehyde. Make-up air for the chamber shall pass through a calibrated air flow measuring device. If
the make-up air is taken from a conditioning environment it should contain no more than 0,012 mg/m .
7.1.5 Equipment for monitoring of test conditions
Measuring equipment and recording facilities capable of continuous or frequent monitoring of the specified
test conditions with an error limit as follows:
— Temperature: 0,1 K;
— Relative humidity: 2 %;
— Air exchange rate: 0,03/h.
7.1.6 Air sampling port
The exhaust flow (that is, chamber outlet) is normally used as the sampling point, although separate
sampling ports in the chamber can be used. The sampling system shall be constructed of a material to
minimize absorption (for example, glass or stainless steel), and the system should be maintained at the
same temperature as the test chambers.

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
7.2 Air sampling system
7.2.1 Sampling system for wet-chemistry analysis
7.2.1.1 General
Figure 1 shows the principle of a sampling system for the determination of the formaldehyde concentration
in the chamber air. The sampling tube shall be placed either in the air outlet, or inside the chamber, close to
the air outlet.
Other sampling systems may be used based on the requirements of the analytical procedure used.
The numbers in brackets refer to the numbers in Figure 1:
7.2.1.2 sampling tube (1).
7.2.1.3 one or two 30 ml up to 100 ml gas washing bottle(s) (2), with inserts like impinger or Muenke or
frits, containing between 8 ml to 40 ml absorber solution, or DNPH cartridges for absorption and subsequent
determination of formaldehyde.
7.2.1.4 silica absorber for drying the air (3).
7.2.1.5 gas flow valve (4).
7.2.1.6 gas sampling pump (5).
7.2.1.7 gas flow meter (6).
7.2.1.8 gas meter (including a thermometer) for measuring the volume of air (7).
7.2.1.9 air pressure meter (8).
Key
1 sampling tube 5 gas sampling pump
2 gas washing bottle 6 gas flow meter
3 silica absorber 7 gas meter with thermometer
4 gas flow valve 8 air pressure meter
Figure 1 — Example of a sampling system for the determination of formaldehyde concentration in
air
ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
7.2.2 Direct sampling
Formaldehyde in the chamber air is determined by direct sampling analysis (e.g. optical or chemical sensors
see Annex C). The measuring cell has to be connected with non-absorbent formaldehyde tubes. The length of
tube can have an impact on results and has to be considered.
8 Sample material handling and specimen conditioning
8.1 Handling
Materials selected for testing shall e.g. be wrapped in polyethylene plastic having a minimum thickness of
0,15 mm (0,006 in) until sample conditioning is initiated. When testing wood products that are not newly
manufactured such as after original application, installation or use, the method of packaging and shipping
the products for testing shall be described e.g. in the quality manual handbook.
8.2 Test specimen
Chambers are operated at a fixed sample size by varying the make-up airflow (Q), or at fixed Q by varying
the product sample size by product type. Either mode is acceptable as long as the appropriate Q/A ratios for
3 2
the product type are met (see Table 1 and Table 2). The minimum requirement of Q/A ratio is 1 m /h m with
a range of ±2 %
Products can have different surface coverings on front and back side. Therefore, significantly different
formaldehyde release characteristics for each surface can occur. In those cases, panels may be tested back-
to-back or face-to-face with edges taped together depending on which surface is to be tested.
Table 1 — Examples of calculated Q/A ratio referring to chamber size used to consider the
[8] [12] [3]
dimensions specified in the standards (here: EN 717-1 , DMC , ISO 12460-3 )
b
Flow rate Q Air Sample size Q/A
Sample
surface
ex-
Number
adjusted height width ratio
Type of Type of
area A
change
of sam-
a
chamber WBP
ples
rate N
3 2 3 2
[l/min] [l/h] [m /h] [mm] [mm] [m ] [m /h m ]
−1
[h ]
1 m PB/PLY 16,67 1 000,2 1,000 2 1 500 500 2 1,000 0 1,000
1 m MDF 16,67 1 000,2 1,000 2 1 500 500 2 1,000 0 1,000
0,225 m PB/PLY 3,75 225,0 0,225 0 1 200 280 2 0,224 0 1,004
0,225 m MDF 3,75 225,0 0,225 0 1 200 280 2 0,224 0 1,004
0,045 m PB/PLY 8,91 534,6 0,534 6 12,15 200 381 3 0,457 2 1,169
0,045 m MDF 14,51 870,6 0,870 6 19,79 200 381 3 0,457 2 1,904
0,004 m PB/PLY 1,00 60,0 0,060 0 15 400 50 1 0,040 0 1,500
0,004 m MDF 1,00 60,0 0,060 0 15 400 50 1 0,040 0 1,500
a
WBP: wood-based panel; PB: particleboard, MDF: medium density fibreboard; PLY: plywood.
b 3 3 3 3
Tolerance of sample size for samples used for chamber volume of 1 m , 0,225 m and 0,045 m : ±2 mm; 0,004 m : ±1 mm

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Table 2 — Examples of calculated Q/A ratio referring to chamber size considering the requirements
[11]
for different types of wood-based panels (here: ASTM D 6007 )
b
Flow rate Q Air Sample size Q/A
Sample
surface
ex- Num-
adjusted height width ratio
Type of Type of
area A
change ber
a
chamber WBP
rate N
of sam-
3 2 3 2
[l/min] [l/h] [m /h] [mm] [mm] [m ] [m /h m ]
−1
ples
[h ]
1 m PB/PLY 8,33 499,8 0,499 8 0,5 143 500 3 0,429 0 1,165
1 m MDF 8,33 499,8 0,499 8 0,5 85 500 3 0,255 0 1,960
0,225 m PB/PLY 1,87 112,2 0,112 2 0,5 80 200 3 0,096 0 1,169
0,225 m MDF 1,87 112,2 0,112 2 0,5 49 200 3 0,058 8 1,908
a
WBP: wood-based panel; PB: particleboard, MDF: medium density fibreboard; PLY: plywood.
b 3 3 3 3
tolerance of sample size for samples used for chamber volume of 1 m , 0,225 m and 0,045 m : ±2 mm; 0,004 m : ±1 mm
NOTE Table 1 and Table 2 show only examples for some wood-based panel products. Any other wood-based panel
or other formaldehyde emitting products (coated or uncoated) can be tested as well, e.g. OSB (Oriented Strand Boards),
solid wood panels, cement bonded particleboards, wet process fiber boards, LVL, etc.
8.3 Conditioning
The procedure for pre-conditioning of samples prior to testing shall be specified and standardized on an
individual basis i.e. at a factory or laboratory. The conditioning and testing parameters shall be specified
and kept consistent.
An established procedure for sample conditioning is for example as described:
Condition test specimens with a minimum distance of 0,15 m (6 inch) between each specimen for minimum of
2 h ± 15 min at the conditions of (24 ± 3) °C [(75 ± 5) °F] and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity. The formaldehyde
concentration in the air within 0,3 m (12 inch) of where panels are conditioned shall not be more than the
lowest emission limit of the product(s) to be tested during the conditioning period. Alternative conditioning
intervals can give better correlation to larger chamber test methods, e.g. 7 days ± 3 h conditioning or 15 days
conditioning.
8.4 Sealing of test piece edges
Edges shall be sealed completely air-tight by using self-adhesive aluminium tape or wax.
9 Procedure
9.1 Test conditions
The following conditions shall be maintained in the chamber throughout the test:
— Temperature (25 ± 1) °C [(77 ± 2) °F];
— Relative humidity (50 ± 4) %;
3 2
— Q/A ratio minimum of 1 m /h m ± 2 %.
The conditions can be reached by storing the chamber in a well-conditioned surrounding or by using a self-
climatisation system.
ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
9.2 Test procedure for materials
9.2.1 General
Purge the chamber by running empty or with the use of filters designed to reduce the formaldehyde
background concentration in air, or both. The formaldehyde background concentration in air of the empty
operating chamber should not exceed 0,006 mg/m . Clean chamber surfaces with water or suitable solvent
if formaldehyde background concentrations approach 0,006 mg/m . If the make-up air is taken from a
conditioning environment it should contain no more than 0,012 mg/m .
9.2.2 Locate the specimens in the chamber so that the conditioned air stream circulates over all panel
surfaces.
9.2.3 Operate the chamber at (25 ± 1) °C [(77 ± 2) °F] and (50 ± 4) % relative humidity. Record the
temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure during the testing period. Conduct the chamber
test at the specified Q/A ratio and record this ratio in the report.
9.2.4 After placing the specimens in the chamber, allow time for no less than two full air changes before
beginning the air sampling.
9.3 Air sampling
The sampling shall be carried out as specified in Annex C. The length of sampling tube can have an impact on
results and shall be considered.
9.4 Analysis of air samples
9.4.1 General
Analytical methods for formaldehyde quantification are provided in Annex C. Of the analytical methods
provided, the wet-chemistry methods (C.1: Acetylacetone method, C.2: Chromotropic acid method and C.3:
DNPH method) are considered reference analytical methods and are the methods that the direct analytical
methods (e.g. C.4: Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (LAS), C.5: Chemical sensor) are measured against and
have to show equivalent results.
9.4.2 Equivalence of analytical procedures – General requirements
9.4.2.1 General
Where an analytical method other than the wet-chemistry reference analytical methods (C.1 to C.3) is used
to determine formaldehyde in the air, equivalence to at least one of this reference methods shall be shown.
9.4.2.2 Demonstration of equivalence – Device manufacturer
Prior to use in a factory’s laboratory, the device manufacturer shall carry out at least 15 tests using samples
of different types of wood-based panels with varying composition (e.g. glue composition, additives, raw
material) per product type (e.g. MDF, particleboard, plywood, OSB) evenly distributed in a wide emission
3 3
range (at least 0,012 mg/m up to 0,25 mg/m ). A linear regression shall be calculated and equivalence is
shown if the statistical evaluation complies with the requirements of a slope with 1 ± 0,05, R ≥ 0,98 and r
value ≥ 0,99.
9.4.2.3 Demonstration of equivalence – Factory laboratory
The factory’s laboratory shall validate the device manufacturer’s data for the specific product(s) intended for
FPC testing. To demonstrate equivalence at least five samples of the type of wood-based material respectively
products are tested by using one of the reference wet-chemistry methods and the test procedure to be

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
evaluated. Equivalence is demonstrated if the absolute mean deviation from the wet-chemistry reference
method is ≤ 10 %.
10 Calculation
10.1 Convert the volume of air sampled to the volume of air at standard conditions by Formula (1):
VP××298
V = (1)
s
101×+T 273
()
where
V is the volume of air at standard conditions (101 kPa and 298 K), in cubic metres;
S
V is the volume of air sampled, in cubic metres;
P is the barometric pressure, in kPa;
T is the temperature of sample air, in °C.
10.2 Calculate total milligrams of formaldehyde collected in each washing bottle by Formula (2):
CC=×F (2)
ta a
where
C is the total mass of formaldehyde in the sample, in milligrams;
t
C is the total quantity of formaldehyde in the sample aliquots taken from the washing bottle (as de-
a
termined from the calibration curve in C.1 to C.3), in milligrams;
F is the aliquot factor:
a
V
s,sol
F = (3)
a
V
a
where
V is the sampling solution volume, in ml;
s,sol
V is the. aliquot used, in ml.
a
10.3 Calculate the concentration of formaldehyde in air in the small chamber as follows:
CC= /V (4)
st S
where
C is formaldehyde concentration in air in mg/m ;
s
V is the volume of air at standard conditions (101 kPa and 298 K), in cubic metres;
s
Round calculated formaldehyde concentrations to the nearest 0,01 mg/m .
NOTE At 25 °C (77°F) and 1 013 hPa the following relationship exists for formaldehyde:
1,23 mg/m = 1 ppm (parts per million);

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
1 mg/m = 0,81 ppm (parts per million).
10.4 When the chamber temperature as described in the selected options of 9.1 differs from the standard
parameter, adjust the formaldehyde concentrations obtained to a standard temperature of 25 °C (77 °F)
using an equation developed by Berge et al. or other verified calculation models Annex B contains a table
of conversion factors for use at different observed test temperatures as calculated using this formula. The
observed test temperature is the average temperature for the total period of 15 min prior to air sampling
plus the time of air sampling rounded to one decimal place.
10.5 The measured chamber formaldehyde concentration in air shall be adjusted to a concentration at 50 %
relative humidity and shall to be re-calculated when it differs from 50 % (see Annex B). For re-calculation
the measured relative humidity should be rounded to one decimal place.
11 Determination of air exchange rate
The determination of the air exchange rate (n) in the unloaded test chamber is based on the method for
measuring the contrition dynamics of an indicator gas (tracer gas) which is introduced into the chamber.
The indicator gas concentration will decrease over time depending on the air exchange rate. Under ideal
air mixing conditions in the chamber, the concentration will follow the Formula (5) and calculated with
Formula (6).
−nl
cc= e (5)
t 0
 
n= ln cc/ (6)
()
  0 t
t
 
where
c is the initial concentration of indicator gas, in milligrams per cubic metre;
c is the concentration of indicator gas, in milligrams per cubic metre at time t in hours;
t
n is the air exchange rate per hour (1/h);
t is the time, in hours.
NOTE Dinitrogen monoxide (N O) is a suitable tracer gas and can be determined using an infrared (IR) detector.
Dinitrogen monoxide has a molecular mass of 44,01 g/mol and a density of 1,53 relatives to air.
12 Test report
12.1 Test number.
12.2 The manner in which materials where shipped or stored, or both: wrapped separately, wrapped
collectively or in original box or container. If materials were shipped unwrapped, or no in the original box
or container, it shall be noted in the test report. Information on age and product history, if known, shall be
described in the test report.
12.3 Name or product manufacturer or name of company submitting material, or both, date of manufacture,
and sampling date (if known).
12.4 Description of test material or product shall include generic product name, thickness, size, if surface is
finished or sealed (both surfaces should be described), and special treatment (if known).

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
12.5 Specimen condition details to include average rounded to one decimal place the temperature and
range, average relative humidity and range, and time to the nearest appropriate measure, e.g. hour or
minute.
12.6 Formaldehyde background concentration in the air in the area where specimens are conditioned
(rounded to the nearest 0,01 mg/m ).
12.7 Chamber volume: nominal length, width, and height.
12.8 Chamber Q/A ratio.
12.9 Description of specimens (size, edge sealing technique) as loaded into chamber including number of
specimens in charge and number of surfaces exposed.
12.10 Average temperature, average relative humidity, and time to the nearest minute during the sampling
period.
12.11 Chamber formaldehyde concentration in air at test conditions; chamber formaldehyde concentration
in air corrected 25 °C (77 °F), 50 % relative humidity, rounded to the nearest 0,01 mg/m (or ppm). In the
case of a establishing a correlation, it can be advantageous to round the results to three decimal places.
12.12 The analytical method used to determine formaldehyde in air.
12.13 Formaldehyde background concentration of air in chamber prior to test and formaldehyde
concentration of make-up (rounded to the nearest 0,01 mg/m ).
12.14 Air-sampling rate and length of sample time.
12.15 Date of conditioning start and date of emission test. Additional dates can be mentioned if other
standards are considered.
ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Annex A
(informative)
Test chambers
A.1 General
This document applies to different test chambers for formaldehyde emission testing with a chamber volume
3 3
of 0,004 m to 1 m . Examples of chambers are described in Annex A.
General specifications and requirements which apply to all types of test chambers included in this document
are given in Clause 7.
Materials used for the inner walls and ducts of test chambers shall have a smooth surface, which, prior to
testing, can be effectively cleaned with water. The surface shall be as inert and non-absorptive as possible to
formaldehyde.
NOTE Proven materials are stainless steel or aluminium (sandblasted or polished), glass and some types of
plastics (PVC, PMMA).
A.2 Example 1: 1 m test chamber
A.2.1 Chamber volume and operation
3 3
Chambers of this type have a total interior volume of 1 m . 1 m test chambers are operated with intensive
circular air flow (see Figure A.1, Figure A.2 and Figure A.3).
The climatic test conditions (temperature, relative humidity) can be established within the chamber
either by special conditioning devices (e.g. air heater, steam injector), or by using preconditioned inlet air.
Chambers operated in this way need effective thermal wall insulation.
The temperature within the test chamber can also be established by placing the chamber in a larger
compartment with controlled temperature. Test chambers operated in this way shall have no insulation.
The volume of the inlet air is measured and adjusted by a gas pump or a compressed air system in connection
with gas flow meters (see Figure A.4) and can be measured by a calibrated gas meter in the outlet. The
effective air exchange rate shall be regularly checked (see 7.1.2).
A.2.2 Construction principle
The test apparatus comprises the following components, see Figure A.1, Figure A.2 and Figure A.3 (the
numbers in brackets refer to the numbers in the figures):
A.2.2.1 Chamber with a total interior volume of (1 ± 0,01) m (1).
The 1 m test chambers shown in the figures as examples are constructed from metal, glass or plastic plates.
A.2.2.2 Air inlet (2).
The volume of the air flow through the test chamber is measured by a gas meter.
A.2.2.3 Ventilation fan (at least one) (3).
The ventilation fan mixes the air in the chamber by intensive circulation.

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
A.2.2.4 Inlet for monitoring equipment/sensors (4).
To introduce sensors for continuous or frequent monitoring of temperature and air relative humidity.
A.2.2.5 Air outlet (5).
The air outlet openings are placed far from the inlet openings. Tubes for air sampling are inserted through
the outlet pipes and sampling is made close to the outlets.
A.2.2.6 Baffle plates or partition, or perforated bottom (6).
A.2.2.7 Test pieces (7).
A.2.2.8 Perforated bottom (8).
A.2.3 Test pieces
Produce and prepare test pieces in accordance with Clause 8. The size of the test pieces should be
(500 ± 2) mm × (500 ± 2) mm × board thickness to reach a Q/A ratio of 1 (see examples in Table 1). Other
examples of sample sizes considering different loading and flow rates are given in Table 2. The chamber is
loaded with two test pieces of this size. The test pieces are positioned near to the centre of the chamber,
parallel to the air flow, with their faces separated by a minimum distance of 200 mm.
Key
1 1 m test chamber 5 air outlet
2 air inlet 6 baffle plates
3 ventilation fan 7 test pieces
4 inlet for monitoring equipment/sensors 8 perforated bottom
Figure A.1 — Example 1 of a construction scheme for a 1 m test chamber

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Key
1 1 m test chamber 5 air outlet
2 air inlet 6 partition
3 ventilation fan with electric power supply 7 test pieces
4 inlet for monitoring equipment/sensors
Figure A.2 — Example 2 of a construction scheme for a 1 m test chamber
Key
1 1 m test chamber 4 inlet for monitoring equipment/sensors
2 air inlet 5 air outlet
3 ventilation fan with external electric power 6 test pieces
Figure A.3 — Example 3 of a construction scheme for a 1 m test chamber

ISO 12460-2:2024(en)
Key
1 gas pump 4 silica gel filter
2 charcoal filter 5 washing bottle(s) (humidification) with a minimum volume
of 1 000 ml
3 gas flow meter and gas flow control 6 flow controller or gas meter
a
Air inlet.
b
Dry air, ~50 % of total air flow.
c
...