Our R&D centre was one of the first in Europe to manufacture very low emission panels. Today, these panels emit levels of formaldehyde that are two times lower than the best rate specified in European norm EN 13986. With emissions below 4mg/100g, this is close to the emissions of plants in their natural state. Our factory has also just been awarded the American CARB Phase 2 certificate, one of the world's strictest standards. Formaldehyde is a chemical compound that is commonly found in the air in our homes, but it is also frequently present outside the home and is created by many different sources (as a result of cooking, exhaust gases, cigarette smoke, etc.). This compound is a volatile organic compound, commonly known as a VOC. It is found in wooden furniture (particularly in the adhesives used in chipboard, particle board, plywood, etc.) and its presence may be detected by the odour that it emits (a pungent odour that can even be detected at low concentrations). The lower the formaldehyde content, the lower the risk to health. If you notice this odour, we strongly recommend that you air your room for the first few days after installing the furniture. The odour should gradually disappear and the formaldehyde emissions will decrease. At Gautier, we identified the potentially harmful effects of this volatile organic compound at an early stage, and we have taken the lead by reducing formaldehyde levels in our furniture. With levels below 4mg/100g, the emissions pose almost zero risk to health.