Standards Development

Scope

To provide a concise overview of the following aspects of the application of reference rooms for the evaluation of emissions from products in indoor environments;

European dimension of the scope (regulations and schemes)

Evaluation of VOC emissions from building products: principles

Background history

Implementation in national regulations

Implementation in voluntary schemes

Broader application of the reference room (in addition to construction products)

Other possible dimensions of a reference room

Conclusion and references

Purpose

In the framework of the 4th Specific Agreement n°CEN/2017-12 (Phase IV), WG 2 was assigned to provide a document on the potential broader application of the CEN/TC 351 model room (item 2017-12.8).

The principle of the reference room as described in the EN 16516 standard is a common conventional procedure used for the health-related evaluation of VOC emissions from building products and from other indoor sources (furniture, air fresheners, etc.). The principle of the reference room can have a broader application for the evaluation of emissions from other indoor sources in the 30 m3 reference room (as far as this indoor environment is representative for the use of the considered product) or for the evaluation of emissions from any indoor source in a different reference room representative of another indoor environment (e.g. classroom, office, trains, etc.). This guidance document will give examples of existing international applications of reference / standard rooms and provide a basis for possible development of further applications.