When choosing furniture—be it for an office, hotel, or home—users often pay attention to aesthetics, durability, or cost. Yet one critical factor that quietly impacts your health is the formaldehyde emission grade of the engineered wood panels used inside.
These grades, commonly referred to as E0, E1, E2, and E3, reflect how much formaldehyde is released from materials such as MDF, particle board, or plywood. At BECY Furniture, we understand that clients, especially those in international markets, value not just design but safety and compliance. Here’s a streamlined explanation to help you choose wisely.
What Do E0, E1, E2 and E3 Actually Mean?
Formaldehyde is naturally present in many materials, but in furniture manufacturing it mainly comes from the resin used to bond wood fibers together. The lower the emission level, the safer the panel is for indoor use.
E0 — Ultra-Low Emission
Though somewhat less common in European standards, certain manufacturers and associations target extremely low emission levels. According to research, emerging “super-E0” or “E0.5” classes are being discussed, with limits well below traditional E1.
For BECY, E0-grade boards are ideal for sensitive environments like executive offices, premium hotel suites, or family homes.E1 — The Widely Accepted Standard
According to the European norm EN 13986 (wood-based panels standard), emission limits for E1 class are ≤ 0.124 mg/m³ (chamber test, EN 717-1) or ≤ 8 mg/100 g (perforator test, EN 120).
This makes E1 a very balanced choice– reasonably low emissions, good cost efficiency.E2 — Higher Emission Option
Panels classified as E2 under the same European standard emit more formaldehyde. While technically permitted, E2 is less suitable for enclosed indoor spaces where air quality and occupant health are priorities.E3 — Less Common / Informal
In many international standards, E3 is not a well-defined or regularly used classification. It tends to represent very lax formaldehyde restrictions, making it a poor choice when indoor air quality matters.
Why These Grades Matter for BECY Furniture
For furniture manufactured by BECY Furniture, the choice of panel grade is more than a technical detail — it’s part of our commitment to quality, health, and global compliance.
Health & Indoor Air Quality
By offering E1 as our default material for typical office desks, workstations, and hotel fittings, we help ensure that spaces are safe, comfortable, and free from excessive VOC exposure. When clients demand stricter standards, we can upgrade to E0 panels to minimize formaldehyde emissions even further.Regulatory Compliance & Certifications
Many international projects now require documented compliance with formaldehyde emission standards. We can provide test reports compliant with European EN standards (EN 717-1, EN 120) or other regional standards to satisfy architects and sustainability consultants.
Additionally, European ecolabels or green building certifications may require low-emission materials — something BECY can support through grade selection.Market Differentiation
In the OEM/ODM business, being able to offer E0 panels gives BECY a powerful differentiator in high-end or health-conscious markets. It enhances trust, particularly for clients in regions where indoor air quality is a selling point.Cost-Performance Optimization
For most commercial or project-based orders, E1-grade boards provide excellent value. For clients working on premium or sensitive environments, E0 is an investment in long-term satisfaction and reputation.
How to Choose the Right Grade for Your Project
If you're working on a furniture project with BECY (or any supplier), here are a few practical tips:
Define Your Risk: For densely occupied or closed spaces (hotel rooms, private offices), lean toward E0 if air quality is critical. For general office or hospitality areas, E1 is often more than sufficient.
Check the Certification: Ask for third-party formaldehyde emission test reports, such as those based on EN 717-1 chamber test or EN 120 perforator test.
Review Regulations: If your project is aiming for European green building certification or needs to comply with European VOC legislation, verify that panels meet EN standards.
Discuss with BECY Sales / Design Team: Tell us your environmental / health priorities — we can help you choose either E1 for cost-efficiency or E0 for ultimate safety.
Conclusion: Small Details That Make a Big Difference
While formaldehyde grades may seem like a technical detail, they significantly influence air quality, comfort, safety, and project compliance. Choosing the right grade is not just about materials — it is about protecting health, enhancing trust, and ensuring long-term performance.
At BECY Furniture, every desk, cabinet, workstation, and hotel unit can be produced using E0 or E1 panels depending on your needs. Contact us anytime to explore safer, higher-quality furniture solutions.
