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>04. VOC reduction

04. VOC reduction

Intent: 

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

Post Date: 17 Jul, 2017
Status: Approved

Exemplary level emission criteria for BREEAM International New Construction 2016 scheme has been accepted as an equivalent standard to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard method v1.1-2010 as specified in Part 4 of this feature. The thresholds are as follows:- Formaldehyde limit of 10µg/m3- TVOC limits of ≤ 0.3 mg/m3The insulation materials may be tested using one of the following methodologies:- ISO 16000-9- CEN/TS 16516- CDPH Standard Method v1.1
Post Date: 17 Jul, 2017
Status: Approved

eco-Institu label (2015 version) has been deemed acceptable for Feature 04 Part 1 - 4 with the following requirement:The formaldehyde limit of 10 µg/m3 at 28 days must be met for products using this label.
Post Date: 16 Jun, 2017
Status: Approved

MAS Certified Green has been accepted for Feature 4 Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.The MAS Certified Green® program integrates testing requirements of CDPH Standard Method V1.1, the BIFMAM7.1 Test Method and Formaldehyde emission testing requirements of the Cal EPA – ARB with chemical emission limits referenced by the USGBC LEED, CHPS and CARB organizations. The MAS Certified Green® program is ISO/TEC 17025 and 17065 compliant and recognized by LEED, CDPH, BIFMA and CHPS.MAS Certified Green is also accepted for LEED v4 EQ Credit Low-Emitting Materials Third Party Certifications and Labels. It meets CDPH for emissions, CARB or SCAQMD for VOC content (wet-applied), and ANSI/BIFMA for furniture.
Post Date: 16 Jun, 2017
Status: Approved

GUT has been accepted as an alternative to Feature 04 Part 3.The GUT standard was created by the European carpet industry, and aims "to improve continuously all environmental and consumer protection aspects throughout the life cycle of a textile floor covering (from production to installation, to use phase and recycling)".This standard is only applicable to Part 3, and thresholds are as follows:Termination criteria 3 days after loading:TVOC: 250 ug/m3Formaldehyde: 10 ug/m3Desired values 28 days after loading:TVOC: 100 ug/m3Formaldehyde: 4 ug/m3
Post Date: 16 Jun, 2017
Status: Approved

VOC ETL class 2 and 3, VOC+ ETL Environmental and Formaldehyde-Free, has been accepted as equivalent for Feature 4 Part 5.2nd class: VOC+ certificate states conformance to ANSI/ BIFMA e3 standard credits 7.6.1, 7.6.2 and / or credit 7.6.3 which includes California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.1 01350 (2010).3rd class: Formaldehyde-Free program includes compliance to the second class listed above, VOC+ ETL Environmental, and compliance to formaldehyde requirements for ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) and no added formaldehyde resins.
Post Date: 22 May, 2017
Status: Approved

BREEAMNL New Construction 2014, Hea 09 - Volatile Organic Compounds, is an approved alternative to BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 Hea 02 - Indoor Air Quality to meet WELL Feature 04 Parts 1-3.
Post Date: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
The following referenced standards may be used in lieu of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard Section 7.6.1 and 7.6.2, testing in accordance with ANSI/BIFMA Standard Method M7.1-2011:
- the Finnish M1 label for non-upholstered furniture
- the Blue Angel label for upholstered furniture
If these standards are used, the furniture must also be separately tested for 4-phenylcyclohexane and total aldehydes and held to the same limits specified in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 section 7.6.1 and 7.6.2
Post Date: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
Products and materials that have an A or A+ class rating under the French legislation on VOC emissions meet the requirements of Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Post Date: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) emissions testing is approved as an emissions testing methodology only for furniture and furnishings that are made up of a uniform material and have flat testing surfaces on which the FLEC emissions testing methodology may be applied. For example, flat surfaced cabinetry that is made up of a uniform material may be tested using this methodology. However, chairs that are made from a variety of materials that lack flat surfaces may not be tested using this methodology. The emissions test must be administered by a third party investigator with no affiliation with the project. The associated costs are the responsibility of the project team. Additional tests performed in accordance with ISO 16000 methodology must be performed for total aldehydes and 4-Phenylcyclohexane and must meet the thresholds specified in the WELL Building Standard.
Post Date: 07 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

GreenGuard Gold is accepted as an equivalent for Feature 4, Part 5
Features>Air>04. VOC reduction