Finnish emissions label for construction products and furniture
The Finnish emission label for building products and furniture is one of the leading quality labels in the Scandinavian region. In 1995, the Finnish Society of Indoor Air
Quality and Climate (FiSIAQ) developed the first version of the label and awarded it to products for the first time in 1996.
Today’s certification body is the non-profit Building Information foundation RTS sr, which issues the label in three categories – M1, M2 and M3 (M1 is the best category
and stands for “low-pollutant”). For upholstered office chairs, there is only the M1 category. Special rules apply to wood, glass, metal, stone and ceramic products which are
specified in the document “Classification of Indoor Environment 2018”.
The test basis for the quality label is a 28-day emission test (incl. ammonia, formaldehyde and carcinogenic substances) and an odour test.
Criteria / Classification | M1 (mg/m2h) | M2 (mg/m2h) |
TVOC (Minimum of 70 % of compounds must be marked) | < 0,2 | < 0,4 |
Single VOC (in μg/m3) | ≤ EU-LCI | ≤ EU-LCI |
Formaldehyde (HCOH) | < 0,05 | < 0,125 |
Ammonia (NH3) | < 0,03 | < 0,06 |
The emission of compounds (CMR belonging to category 1A or 1B in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008* (in mg/m3) | <0,001 | < 0,001 |
Odour ** | no odour | no odour |
*does not apply to: formaldehyde
** Result of sensory evaluation must be > + 0,0.
The emissions of the products falling into the category small areas (2m2) and very small areas (0,4m2) can be assessed also as model room concentrations.
The M1-limit values (mg/m3) for such products are: TVOC 0.02, formaldehyde and ammonia 0.01 and CMR-compounds 0,001, single VOC (µg/m3) ≤ EU-LCI, the
product shall have no odour.
Products in category small areas are e.g. doors, windows, wooden beams and tiling grout and very small areas e.g. sealants ans some adhesives.
What is M1?
-Low-emission materials and furniture
The criteria for M1-certified building material was developed and published for the first time over 20 years ago in 1996. M1 Emission Classification for
low-emitting building materials sets limit values for the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and ammonia. In addition to chemical
testing, acceptability of the odour associated with the material is assessed.
The M1 label on the product tells that the product has been tested in impartial laboratory and it complies with the M1 criteria. M1 Emission Classification
is a type I ecolabel according to EN ISO 14024:2018 with restricted scope of indoor emissions. The aim of the classification is to enhance the development and use
of low-emission building materials and furniture.
-M1 Classification is product and company specific
Building Information maintains and publishes a freely accessible database. All products with valid M1 Classification can be found in the database. If you
cannot find the product you are looking for by entering either the name of the product or manufacturer, or by using the Talo 2000 classification as a search criteria,
the product does not have a valid M1 Classification.
Companies which have been granted the right to use the M1 label may use it for marketing purposes. The classification label shall not be used in marketing
in such a way that it refers to the company as a whole or to products which have not been granted M1 Classification.
-Voluntary labeling system
The M1 Emission Classification of building materials is a voluntary labeling system open to all manufacturers, importers and exporters of building products.
Many developers, architects and designing engineers favour M1-certified products when selecting materials for their projects.
The Finnish Association of Building Owners and Construction Clients RAKLI, the Finnish Association of Architects SAFA and the Finnish Association of Consulting Firms
SKOL recommend their members the M1 Classification system in order to promote high-quality construction.
What is M1?
-Low-emission materials and furniture
The criteria for M1-certified building material was developed and published for the first time over 20 years ago in 1996. M1 Emission Classification for
low-emitting building materials sets limit values for the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and ammonia. In addition to chemical
testing, acceptability of the odour associated with the material is assessed.
The M1 label on the product tells that the product has been tested in impartial laboratory and it complies with the M1 criteria. M1 Emission Classification
is a type I ecolabel according to EN ISO 14024:2018 with restricted scope of indoor emissions. The aim of the classification is to enhance the development and use
of low-emission building materials and furniture.
-M1 Classification is product and company specific
Building Information maintains and publishes a freely accessible database. All products with valid M1 Classification can be found in the database. If you
cannot find the product you are looking for by entering either the name of the product or manufacturer, or by using the Talo 2000 classification as a search criteria,
the product does not have a valid M1 Classification.
Companies which have been granted the right to use the M1 label may use it for marketing purposes. The classification label shall not be used in marketing
in such a way that it refers to the company as a whole or to products which have not been granted M1 Classification.
-Voluntary labeling system
The M1 Emission Classification of building materials is a voluntary labeling system open to all manufacturers, importers and exporters of building products.
Many developers, architects and designing engineers favour M1-certified products when selecting materials for their projects.
The Finnish Association of Building Owners and Construction Clients RAKLI, the Finnish Association of Architects SAFA and the Finnish Association of Consulting Firms
SKOL recommend their members the M1 Classification system in order to promote high-quality construction.
