Assessment of building product emissions

Emissions from building products can have a negative effect on the health and well-being of building users. In this context, the targeted selection of so-called "low-emission" products makes a valuable contribution to good indoor air quality.

However, it is first necessary to define what "low-emission" actually means. Because regardless of a building product being made from natural or artificial materials, emissions generally always occur. However, the type, composition and level of emissions are decisive.

The requirements for building product emissions can be simplified into two different cases: Firstly, it must be ensured that no hazardous substances are released into the indoor air. This is basically a minimum requirement that must always be met. Secondly, eco-labels can also be awarded to products that not only comply with the minimum legal requirements in their product group, but are also particularly low in emissions.

A classification system ("delegated act") is currently being prepared for a standardized European assessment of construction product emissions. This system is intended to be applied within the framework of CE marking and is based on the results of an emissions test in accordance with DIN EN 16516.

In some European countries, however, national emission requirements for construction products have been in place for some time. A common feature of these assessment systems is that they include emission tests in a test chamber in accordance with the European test standard DIN EN 16516 over a period of 28 days. This ensures that a single product does not have to be tested multiple times to prove its compliance with the various national requirements. This also applies if the requirements differ in detail.

National emission requirements currently exist in Germany, France and Belgium.

Technical Building Regulations Management Directive (MVV TB)

In Germany, the state building regulations govern not only the planning, dimensioning and execution of buildings but also the use of building products. Specific requirements can be found in the Technical Building Regulations. The MVV TB combines previous regulations. The MVV TB is currently being successively introduced by the federal states.

The MVV TB contains "Requirements for buildings regarding health protection (ABG)". Ensuring indoor air quality that is harmless to health is thus explicitly named as a protection goal under building law.

The requirements for VOC emissions are based on the testing and assessment approach of the AgBB scheme.

• DIN EN 16516:2020-10. Bauprodukte: Bewertung der Freisetzung von gefährlichen Stoffen - Bestimmung von Emissionen in die Innenraumluft. Beuth Verlag, Berlin.
• MVV TB. Muster-Verwaltungsvorschrift Technische Baubestimmungen