ICS 97.140  
Y80 
National Standards of the People's Republic of 
China  
GB 18584 —— XX XX  
Replacing GB 18584 -2001  
 
 
 
Limits on the level of volatile organic 
compounds and the migration of heavy 
metals in wooden furniture  
(English title given in the Chinese original: Limit of volatile organic compounds and migration of 
heavy metal of wood based  
furniture)  
Click here to add marks that indicate level of consistency with international standards  
(draft standard for approval)  
(draft completed on 10 June 2014)  
 
 
Issued on: xx.xx.xxxx        As effective of: xx.xx.xxxx  
 
Issued by  
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic 
of China  
Standardisation Administration of the People's Republic of China    
 
Contents  
Introduction  II 
1 Scope   1 
2 Normative reference documents  1 
3 Terms and definitions   1 
4  Requirements  2 
5  Testing method  2 
6  Testing rules   5 
Annex A (normative annex) Method for measuring and calculating the volume of wooden furniture   6 
References  7  
  INTRODUCTION  
Parts 4 and 5 of this standard are compulsory.  The remaining parts are recommendations only.  
This standard is drafted in accordance with GB/T 1.1 - 2009.  
This standard replaces GB 18584 -2001 Indoor decorating and refurbishing materials - Limit of 
harmful substances of wood based furniture. This standard contains the following changes compared 
to GB 18584 -2001:  
- amendment of limits on the emission of formaldehyde from wooden furniture and its testing 
method;   - addition of limits on benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC and their testing methods  
- amendment of testing method for the migration of elements  
- addition of Annex A.  
- addition of references.  
Please note that some contents of this standard may be protected by patents.  The issuing body of 
this standard is not responsible for identifying these patents.  The drafting of this standard is initiated 
by the China National Light Industry Council.  
The drafting of this standard is managed by the National Standardisation Technical Committee for 
Furniture (SAC/TC 480).  
The organisations  responsible for drafting this standard are as follows: Shanghai Institute of Quality 
Supervision and Inspection, Shenzhen Academy of Metrology and Quality Inspection, National Centre 
for Furniture and Indoor Environm ental Quality Supervision and Inspection, Chengdu Product Quality 
Supervision and Inspection Institute, Zhejiang Furniture and Hardware Institute, Guangdong Product 
Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, Guangdong Landbond Furniture Ltd, Shenzhen 
Huayuanxuan Furniture Ltd, Shenzhen Yuanfangyuan Industrial Development Ltd, Shanghai 
Vohringer Wood Industry Ltd, Asia Yazhen Furniture Ltd, Hunan Xinggang Home Development Ltd, 
Shenzhen Dafuhao Industrial Development Ltd.  
The following organisations contri buted to the drafting of this standard : Tsinghua University, 
Zhejiang Sunon Furniture Manufacturing Ltd, Beijing Liming Wenyi Furniture Ltd, Langfang Huari 
Furniture Ltd, Chengdu Quanyou Furniture Ltd, Goodbaby Children's Products Ltd, Shanghai Kelvte 
Environmental Technology Ltd, Guangdong Badeshi Chemical Ltd, Shenzhen Tiancheng Furniture Ltd,  
Shanghai Jietian Decoration Materials Ltd, Boluoni Household Goods (Beijing) Ltd, Jilin Industrial 
Forestry Ltd, Zuoshang Mingshe Household Goods (Shanghai) Ltd, Banerqi Furniture (Shanghai) Ltd, 
Sophia Home Ltd, Foshan Nanhai Jinfuxuan Furniture Ltd, Clivia Chemical (Shanghai) Ltd, Foshan 
Nanhai Shishan Baichuan Paint Manufacturer Ltd, Guangzhou Internet Wood Glue Ltd, Foshan 
Jintiantuo Furniture Ltd.  
The main aut hors of this standard are as follows: Xiaojie Zhang, Ming Gu, Jufen Luo, Shuyan Zhang, 
Qi Luo, Longping Li, Mijia Liang, Yinghong Zhang, Chenlan Yao, Lingchao Hai, Shanlin Zhou, Bihuang 
Chen, Riguang Zhuang, Song Li, Yonghong Cao, Jianmin Xu, Yanping Zhang , Xunzheng He, Liangzheng 
Ni, Shengguo Li, Xuen Zhou, Youquan Zhang, Yu Zou, Fuji Zhang, Xiucai Yan, Shusheng Zheng, Jianbing Ye, Limin Qian, Zehua Liu, Weijie Wu, Shaojie Cheng, Qingsheng Wang, Xianming Huang and Jinshui 
Zhu.  
This standard replaces the fo llowing standards:  
- GB 18584 -2001  
  Limits on the level of volatile organic compounds and the migration 
of heavy metals in wooden furniture  
1 Scope  
This standard sets out limits, testing methods and testing rules for volatile organic compounds (such 
as benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC) and the migration of heavy metals in wooden furniture.  
This standard is applicable to testing for and evaluating volatile organic compounds and the 
migration of heavy metals in indoor wooden furniture.  
2 Normative referen ce documents  
The reference documents listed below are essential to the application of this standard.  If the 
reference document is listed with its date of issue, only that version applies to this standard.   If the 
reference document is listed without a da te of issue, the latest version (including all amendments) of 
that document applies to this standard.     GB 6675.4 -2014 Safety of toys - part 4: migration of certain 
elements  GB/T 31106 -2014 Testing for volatile organic compounds in furniture  GB/T 31107  General 
testing conditions for environmental test chamber used in the tests for volatile organic compounds in 
furniture  
3. Terms and definitions  
The terms and definitions listed below and those used in GB/T 31106 -2014 and GB/T 31107 apply to 
this standard .  
3.1 
Volume of environmental test chamber  
The total volume of air in a vacant test chamber that can be replaced by fresh air.  
This volume is represented by 'V'.  
Note: space occupied by lighting equipments and sensors etc. are not included.  
3.2 
Volume lo ading ratio  
The ratio of the volume of wooden furniture to the volume of the environmental test chamber.  
This volume is represented by 'a'.  
3.3 
Background concentration  
The concentration of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in a vacant test c hamber.  
3.4 Air change ratio  
The ratio of the amount of fresh air entering the test chamber per unit of time to the volume of the 
test chamber.   
This rate is represented by 'n'.  
3.5 
Air velocity  
The flow speed of air in a vacant test chamber.  
3.6 
Formalde hyde emission level  
The amount of formaldehyde emitted by a piece of wooden furniture measured using the method 
provided in part 5 of this standard.  
3.7 
Level of migration of heavy metals  
The amount of lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury detected in the coating of wooden furniture 
using the testing method provided in this standard.   
4  Requirements  
4.1 Limits on formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in wooden furniture  
must comp ly with the requirements set out in Table 1.  
Table 1 Limits on formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in wooden furniture  
Feature tested  
 Limit (mg/m3) 
Formaldehyde emission  ≤0.10  
Benzene  ≤0.11  
Toluene  ≤0.20  
Xylene  ≤0.20  
TVOC  ≤0.60  
 
4.1 Limits on migration of heavy metals in wooden furniture  
must comply with the requirements set out in Table 2.  
Table 2 Limits on migration of heavy metals in wooden furniture  
Feature tested  
 Limit (mg/kg)  
Lead  ≤90 Cadmium  ≤75 
Chromium  ≤60 
Mercury  ≤60 
 
 
5  Testing method   
5.1 Rationale  
5.1.1 Rationale for the test for formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in wooden 
furniture  
Place the product in a test chamber that meets the required volume loading ratio; create an 
environment similar to the one the product would be used in and conduct the test.  Once the 
required time has elapsed, take samples of the air in the test chamber and test for levels of 
formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC using the method provided in this standard.  
5.1.2 Rationale for the test for migration of heavy metals in wooden furniture  
Use a skiving machine to scrape the coating of the product; dissolve any samples obtained in acid 
solution in order to create a reaction similar to one where coating is swallowe d and digested. 
Conduct a chemical analysis to determine the levels of migration of lead, cadmium, chromium and 
mercury in the solution.     
5.2 Test apparatus  
5.2.1 Environmental test chamber  
must comply with the rules set out in standard GB/T 31107.  
5.2.2 Sampling equipment  
must comply with the rules set out in 4.1.3 of standard GB/T 31106 -2014.  
5.2.3 Solution and apparatus for the test on the migration of heavy metals  
must comply with the rules set out in part 6 of standard GB 6675.4 -2014.  
5.3 Test proc edures  
5.3.1 Test for formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC  
5.3.1.1 Calculating the volume of a product  
The volume is calculated using the method provided in Annex A. If the sample is adjustable, use the 
minimum volume.   
5.3.1.2 Pre -treatment  Before testing, assemble and unfold the product. For adjustable products, assemble, open or adjust 
the product in a way that the harmful substances would be fully released into the environment. 
Products usually undergo pre -treatment assembled. The surfaces of all components of the product 
should be exposed to the environment as much as possible.     The length of time for pre -treatment is 
(120±2) h.  
Pre-treatment must be conducted under the following conditions:  
- temperature (23±2)°C;  
- relative humidity ( 45±10) %;  
- distance between products no less than 300mm;  
- concentration of formaldehyde and TVOC between products must not exceed the following levels: 
formaldehyde ≤ 0.10mg/m3, TVOC ≤ 0.60mg/m3. 
5.3.1.3 Choosing an environmental test chamber  
The volume loading ratio of a test chamber must be within (0.075 〜0.3). A test chamber with a 
volume loading ratio closest to 0.15 is the most suitable choice.    If the volume loading ratio is 0.15, 
the air change ratio is 1 (meaning that the amount of fresh air ente rs the test chamber in 1 hour  
equates to the volume of the test chamber). If the volume loading ratio is not 0.15, the air change 
ratio must be calculated by using the formula below:   
n = Q / V = a /0.15………………………………(1)  
where:  
n - air change ratio (accura te to 0.01);  
Q - the amount of fresh air enters the test chamber per hour (m3/h); 
V -  volume of the test chamber (m3);  
a -  volume loading ratio  
5.3.1.4 Test for background concentration  
Collect a sample of the air in the test chamber one hour before pl acing the product in it. Test and 
record the level of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in accordance with the rules 
set out in GB/T 31106 -2014. The background concentration must meet the following criteria: 
formaldehyde ≤ 0.006mg/m3, benzene  ≤ 0.005mg/m3, toluene ≤ 0.005mg/m3, xylene ≤ 0.005mg/m3, 
TVOC ≤ 0.05mg/m3. 
5.3.1.5 Collecting formaldehyde and VOC samples  
A product must be tested in the test chamber within an hour of undergoing pre -treatment.   
Assemble and unfold the product. For adju stable products, assemble, open or adjust the product in a 
way that the harmful substances would be fully released into the environment. Products usually undergo tests assembled. The surfaces of all components of the product must be exposed as much as 
poss ible in the test chamber.  
During a test, the conditions of the test chamber must meet the following criteria:  
- temperature (23±2)°C;  
- relative humidity (45±5)%;  
- air change ratio (value obtained using formula (1));  
- air velocity (0.1 〜0.3) m/s;  
- level of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in the inward flow air must meet the 
following criteria: formaldehyde ≤ 0.006mg/m3, each VOC ≤ 0.005mg/m3, TVOC ≤ 0.05mg/m3. 
The air samples can be collected  only after the product has been left in the test chamber for (20±0.5) 
hours and the samples must be collected in accordance with the rules set out in GB/T 31106 -2014.  
5.3.1.6 Test for formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC  
The tests must be conducted in accordance with the rules set out in GB/T 31106 -2014. The analysis 
must be conducted using the spectrophotometry (with Folin -Ciocalteu reagent) method set out in 
the same standard.   
5.3.2 Test for the migration of heavy metals  
5.3.2.1 Coating sampling  
Coating samples must be taken from the outer surface of the product. If the coating is made up of 
different colours, each colour must be tested.  The maximum migration level of each heavy metal is 
then analysed and adjusted.    
5.3.2.2 Preparation and extraction of coating samples  
Follow part 8 .1 of standard GB 6675.4 -2014.  
5.3.2.3 Determining the migration level of heavy metals  
Follow part 9 of standard GB 6675.4 -2014.  
5.4 Presenting test results  
5.4.1 Formaldehyde emission level  
The formaldehyde emission level of the product is calculated using the formula below:  
Cf = C fc - C0f ……………………………… ⑵ 
where:  
Cf - formaldehyde emission level of the product (mg/m3); Cfc - concentration of formaldehyde in the test chamber when testing is completed (mg/m3);  
C0f - background concentration of formaldehyde  (mg/m3). 
5.4.2 VOC emission level  
The VOC emission level of the product is calculated using the formula below:  
Cv = C vc – C0v ………………………………(3)  
where:  
Cv - amount of benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC emitted by the product (mg/m3);   
Cvc - concentration of benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in the test chamber when testing is 
completed (mg/m3); 
C0v - background concentration of  benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC (mg/m3). 
5.4.3 Analyse and adjust results for the migration of heavy metals  
The results for the migration of heavy metals must be analysed and adjusted in accordance with the 
rules set out in part 4.2 of GB 6675.4 -2014.  
6  Testing rules  
6.1 Order of the tests  
Tests for formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC must be conducte d first. The test for the 
migration of heavy metals must be conducted second.   
6.2 Determining test results  
A test is passed if the result of that test meets the requirement set out in part 4. A product is 
compliant with the limits on harmful substances i f it has passed all the tests.  If a product fails to pass 
any of the tests, it is not compliant with the limits on harmful substances.  
6.3 Retest  
Retests may not be carried out for formaldehyde or VOC in wooden furniture.  
If the results for the migratio n of heavy metals are contested, re -tests may be carried out. If a re -test 
is carried out, the test report should state 'passed after re -test' or 'failed after re -test'.   
  Annex A  
(normative annex)  
Method for measuring and calculating the volume of wooden furniture  
A.1 Apparatus for measuring  
A steel ruler or tape measure (accurate to 1mm).  If a measuring equipment is used, it must be 
accurate to 1mm2.  
A.2 Methods for calculating the volume of wooden furniture  
A.2.1 Cabinetry  
Measure the maximum p rojected area and the maximum height of a cabinet. The product of the two 
is the volume of the cabinet.   
 A.2.2 Tables  
Measure the maximum projected area and the maximum height of a table. The product of the two is 
the volume of the table.  
A.2.3 Chairs  
Measure the maximum projected area and the maximum height of the seat. The product of the two 
is the volume of the chair. The volume of the back and arm rests is disregarded.    
A.2.4  Stools  
Measure the maximum projected area and the maximum height of the seat. The product of the two 
is the volume of the stool.  
A.2.5 Beds  
Measure the maximum projected area of the bed frame and the height of the bed frame (excluding 
sections above the mattress surface). The product of the two is the volume of the bed. The vo lume of 
the sections of the bed frame that is above the mattress surface is disregarded.    
  References  
[1] ISO 16000 -9:2004 Indoor air -Part 9:  Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds 
from building products and furnishing -Emission tes t chamber method  
[2] ENV 717 -1:2004 Wood -based panels -Determination of formaldehyde release -Part 1:  
Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method  
[3] ASTM E1333:1996(2002) Standard test method for determining formaldehyde concentrations in 
air and emission rates from wood products using a large chamber  
[4] RAL -UZ38:2002 Low -emission wood products and wood -base products  
[5] BIFMA M7.1 -2005 Standard test method for determining VOC emissions from office furniture 
systems, components and seating