The classification presents requirements for the materials used in ordinary work spaces and residences. The Classification does not overrule official building codes or interpretations of them.
Wood, glass, metal surfaces, stone, ceramic products
Design guidance provided in the Classification of Indoor Climate places no restrictions on the use of following products:
- brick
- natural stone
- ceramic tile
- glass
- metal surfaces
- board and log surfaces made of wood (Finnish wood). The VOC emissions of fresh wood may nevertheless exceed the limit value of emission class M1.
Materials that have not been tested shall not be granted a classification label.
Criteria for Emission Classes
The emission classification of building materials has three emission classes.
Emission class M1 corresponds to the best quality and emission class M3
includes materials with the highest emission rates.
Classified materials have to fulfill the following criteria at the age
of 4 weeks.
| Examined qualities | M1
[mg/m2h] |
M2 [mg/m2h] |
| The emission of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). A minimum of 70% of the compounds shall be identified. |
< 0,2 | < 0,4 |
| The emission of formaldehyde(HCOH) | < 0,05 | < 0,125 |
| The emission of ammonia (NH3) | < 0,03 | < 0,06 |
| The emission of carcinogenic compounds belonging to category 1 of the IARC monographs (IARC 1987)1* |
< 0,005 | < 0,005 |
| Odour (dissatisfaction with odour shall be below 15 %)2* | Is not odours | Is not significantly odorous |
1* IARC 1987, does not apply to formaldehyde (IARC 2004)
2* The result of sensory evaluation shall be > + 0,1.
Plasters and tiling products, leveling agents, putty,
mastics, fillers, screeds and renders shall not contain casein.
Emission class M3 includes materials whose emissions exceed the values
specified for materials in category M2. Brick, stone, ceramic tile, glass,
metal surfaces and wood hold a special status in the classification.