This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
   
  1. Air
  2. VOC reduction

VOC reduction

Features/Air/Feature 04

VOC reduction

Intent: 

To minimize the effect of VOCs in building materials on indoor air quality.

All equivalencies for this feature can be downloaded from this link: https://resources.wellcertified.com/tools/strategies-table
Post Date: 12 Apr, 2018
Status: Approved

Formaldehyde E1 class has been accepted as an alternative to the requirements of Feature 04, Part 5 for furniture substrates. Note that this is only acceptable for projects in Europe.
Also note that the Formaldehyde E1 class is the Option 1 performance requirement for wood panels listed within BREEAM UK New Construction: Hea 02 Indoor Air Quality. Please refer to the previously approved EP on 07 April 2017 (http://standard.wellcertified.com/air/voc-reduction?page=3&view=equivalency) for additional information on Hea 02 Indoor Air Quality.
Post Date: 03 Apr, 2018
Status: Approved

TÜV Rheinland LGA testing standard 2011 has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of Feature 04, Part 5. Note that this equivalency may only be used for workstation cabinetry for projects in Europe.
Post Date: 03 Apr, 2018
Status: Approved

CertiPUR has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of Feature 04, Part 5. Note this only applies to projects in Europe, specific to polyurthane foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture. This Equivalency does not cover any other furniture or furnishing components except for the polyurethane foam. All other non-foam components of installed furniture must be separately tested and held to the limits specified in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 section 7.6.1 and 7.6.2, or other relevant, equivalent standard.
Post Date: 26 Mar, 2018
Status: Not Approved

RAL-GZ-430 has not been accepted as an equivalent for the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard sections 7.6.1 and 7.6.2, of Feature 04, Part 5.
Note that RAL-GZ-430 does not identify a comparable requirement for TVOC and 4-Phenylcyclohexene emissions for workstations and seating. Additionally, for cupboard furniture and upholstered furniture, the formaldehyde emissions threshold indicated in RAL-GZ-430 is significantly higher than that mandated by CDPH.
Post Date: 23 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

CertiPUR/EUROPUR has been accepted as an alternative to the requirements of Feature 04, Part 5, specific to polyurethane foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture. This Equivalency does not cover any other furniture and furnishing components except for the polyurethane foam.
Post Date: 20 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

Blue Angel (Blauer Engel) is approved as an acceptable equivalent to the requirements of Feature 04, Part 5. However, please note that projects must still adhere to the formaldehyde requirements specified in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard.
Post Date: 15 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

EU Ecolabel for Paints and Varnishes (2014) has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 (or later) of Feature 04 Part 1 for Europe.
Post Date: 15 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

EU Ecolabel for wooden floor coverings (2010 version) has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 (or later) of Feature 04 Part 3 for Europe.
Post Date: 15 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

Formaldehyde E1 class has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 (or later) Feature 04 Part 3 for Europe.
Post Date: 15 Mar, 2018
Status: Approved

European Union Paints Directive 2004/42/EC has been accepted as an alternative for the requirements of Feature 04, Part 1 for Europe. Please note that the European Union Paints Directive 2004/42/EC is the compliant performance standard for paints and varnishes listed within BREEAM UK New Construction: Hea 02 Indoor Air Quality.