Understanding VOC Certifications and Test Methods

If you’ve never dealt with VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) testing before, it can seem very complicated. There’s lots of acronyms to decode and methods to learn about, but it is more straightforward than it seems. 

VOC tests all follow the same basic principle of measuring how much is emitted by a product in a controlled environment over a set period of time. Testing is important because it provides evidence that a product meets safety standards, as exposure to VOCs has been linked to both short and long-term health issues.

Key concepts in VOC testing

If you are new to VOC testing, we’ve outlined the key concepts that you’ll need to know.

TVOC

TVOC stands for Total Volatile Organic Compounds. It’s a measurement that indicates the overall amount of VOCs that have been detected in a space. It’s a metric that is used by continuous monitors to give a more accurate picture of how many VOCs are in the air. It is useful for assessing the overall impact that individual VOCs have on the indoor air quality.

Individual VOCs

VOCs aren’t specific substances, but rather diverse groups of substances with similar properties. Whilst TVOCs look at the cumulative impact, individual VOCs are specific chemical compounds, like formaldehyde or benzene, that would need to be measured individually. This is because there are tighter health-based limits on certain chemical compounds - for example, new EU regulations from 2026 have set strict limits on formaldehyde emissions from products like furniture and wood-based products.

Reference levels/LCIs

LCIs are the Lowest Concentration of Interest, which is a limit that has been set to prevent health risks as a result of VOC exposure. LCIs outline the maximum concentration of VOCs that are acceptable for indoor environments. Many countries in Europe have strict LCI protocols in place to assess the safety of products by setting concentration values of each compound.

Testing time points

VOC testing measures emissions at different intervals, because it changes over time. For example, new furnishings will typically have higher VOC emission rates just after installation because of the off-gassing process, but then will reduce over time.

The testing time varies depending on the testing method used - for example, some range from 3 to 28 days - but all VOC tests are carried out in a climate-controlled chamber to make sure that comparable data is produced. 

Main VOC test methods

There is no set standard for VOC testing, as different regions and countries have different legal requirements and environmental regulations for indoor air quality. However, there are some testing methods that you may see more frequently.

CDPH Standard Method (US)

The CDPH Standard Method is widely used across North America to evaluate VOC emissions. Formerly known as CA 01350, this method involves a product being placed in a sealed, climate-controlled chamber at around 25°C. The product is kept in these conditions for around 7-10 days, after which time air samples from the chamber are collected at intervals of 24, 48 and 96 hours. The results from this are then used to predict emissions at later dates and in different scenarios.

Both TVOCs and individual VOCs can be measured by the CDPH method. It was designed specifically for occupied environments, which means that it contributes to WELL and LEED standards.

EN 16516 

This testing method is a standard European test for determining VOC emissions from building products. Products are kept in a controlled environment at around 23°C, with standard humidity and ventilation. Emissions are tested after 28 days, as this is the time at which many construction materials have stabilised. The levels are measured against the EU LCIs values to judge them.

EN 16516 measures TVOCs, individual VOCs and aldehydes like formaldehyde. As the 28 day testing period is considered a long period of time, it helps to give a more accurate picture of the emissions given by a product, making it a more reliable indicator.

ISO 16000

The ISO 16000 series is a collection of international standards for measuring and testing air quality. Essentially, it’s standards that set out how VOC chamber testing should be carried out, rather than measuring the actual VOCs. Think of it as the backbone of VOC testing, ensuring that labs are carrying out their testing in a cohesive, accurate and consistent way.

AgBB

AgBB is a testing method in Germany, used to measure VOC emissions from construction products. It is known to be one of the most stringent testing frameworks. The results of the chamber testing are measured at 3 days to monitor emissions for early occupancy - for example, if occupants move into a workplace just after fit-out - and at 28 days, to monitor emissions once stabilised. The VOCs detected are then compared to its Lowest Concentration Limit (LCL).

This method measures TVOCs and carcinogenic VOCs, to assess the short and long-term health impacts of VOC exposure.

ANSI/BIMFA e3

The ANSI/BIFMA e3 tests are sustainability and health specifically designed for furniture, not for construction materials. Whilst they aren’t VOC tests, they are standards that require VOC testing to be performed in order to meet emissions criteria. These frameworks evaluate the impacts of furniture throughout its lifecycle, including the sustainability of materials, energy efficiency during production, and VOC emissions. ANSI/BIFMA e3 is recognised by WELL building standards and is frequently used in workplace design and furniture specifications.

Certifications and labels

A lot of data is produced through VOC testing, which can be hard to interpret. Because of this, third party certifications are incredibly useful to demonstrate that a product has passed emissions testing.

Indoor Air Comfort (IAC)/IAC Gold

Indoor Air Comfort (IAC) was developed by Eurofins. It is a certification scheme in Europe that consolidates numerous regulations and standards, so that if you have an IAC-certified product, you can be assured that it meets a wide range of criteria. IAC Gold is the highest tier, given to products that have undergone rigorous testing and complies to both TVOC and individual VOC limits. If you see that a product is IAC Gold certified, you can be confident that it meets the demands of a number of sustainability schemes, including WELL and BREEAM.

GREENGUARD

Both GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold are American certifications for products that demonstrate low VOC emissions under controlled conditions. Just like IAC Gold, GREENGUARD Gold sets out even stricter standards to show that the products meet the necessary criteria for emissions.

No matter what certifications and labels you might see on a product, they all point to the fact that it has passed a recognised VOC chamber test and meets the standards set out by the programme. They use the same testing methods and evaluation frameworks, but just apply their own limit values.

What specifiers should look for on documentation

When you receive VOC documents, there are some key elements to look out for. First, check which testing method was used, as that will indicate whether the data is from a recognised source. It should list the lab that carried out the testing, which will also be an indication of its reliability, as reputable laboratories like Eurofins have to follow strict protocols. Check the date that the test was carried out, as an older certificate might not show up-to-date performance of materials.

The documentation should also show which specific products were tested, as there are often multiple components of a piece of furniture that should be considered, like coatings and adhesives. In the report, it should mention scenario modelling, which shows the different test methods that might influence the VOC emissions in different environments.

VOC reports should also outline the limit values that were used, as there are many thresholds that the data could have been measured against. This is key to make sure that you are aligning with the limits set in different standards, like WELL or LEED.

How Workbench aligns testing with international expectations

Workbench works with Eurofins, the world’s largest lab for VOC chamber emissions testing. Eurofins uses testing standards like ISO 16000 and EN 16516, as well as many others, to make sure that products meet even the most stringent emission requirements. 

We take this information to provide our clients with straightforward documentation that shows the thresholds that the products meet, such as WELL, LEED and BREEAM, so that they can rest assured that they are better for employee health and meet emissions targets.