In the third quarter of the provincial quality supervision random inspection announcement released by the Shaanxi Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau, nearly 20% of children's furniture failed the test. The main issue was excessive formaldehyde emissions. Similarly, in Guangdong, the local Quality Supervision Bureau reported that out of 7 regularly sampled products, 41 batches of wooden furniture showed high levels of formaldehyde. In Shenyang, the results of a random quality inspection revealed that only 75% of locally produced wooden furniture met the standards, with formaldehyde emissions being the primary concern. Some manufacturers even exceeded the national limit by as much as 20 times.
Direct contact with formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and even tissue damage. Inhalation of high concentrations may lead to nausea, vomiting, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema. Long-term exposure to low levels of formaldehyde has been linked to serious health issues such as nasopharyngeal cancer, brain tumors, and genetic mutations. Faced with these dangers, many consumers are asking: when will furniture meet safe formaldehyde emission standards?
The environmental friendliness of furniture is closely tied to the quality of raw materials used, particularly in the case of particleboard. However, China currently has multiple and inconsistent standards for this material. The furniture industry is largely dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, some of which engage in misleading practices—using "E1" standards during production but advertising "E0" or even claiming "formaldehyde-free." In reality, most furniture requires multiple processes like veneering, painting, and edge banding, all of which involve adhesives. Achieving zero formaldehyde is practically impossible.
According to the national standard GB18580-2001, formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels are divided into two levels: E2 ≤ 5.0 mg/L and E1 ≤ 1.5 mg/L. Industry experts suggest that this is the minimum requirement for environmental protection in the furniture sector. It should not be seen as an obstacle for companies, but rather as a baseline they must meet. If a company exceeds the standard, it’s not the standard that's too strict—it’s the company that needs to improve.
For furniture brands aiming to grow and succeed, profit is important, but the focus should be on innovation, production efficiency, and expanding market reach. Deceiving consumers by sacrificing their health for short-term gains is not a sustainable strategy.
Given the current lack of uniformity in board standards in China, relevant authorities should take action to unify testing methods and establish clearer guidelines. Meanwhile, the industry and commerce departments, along with quality supervision agencies, must enforce stricter market inspections and ensure proper access control. Only through these efforts can the furniture industry develop in a healthier and more responsible manner.
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