Formaldehit Analizi — ISO 14184 / ISO 17226 / EN 717-1 · Footwear and Leather Testing

What Is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde analysis is the determination of the amount of formaldehyde remaining in or released from the product. The method varies depending on the matrix: IN TEXTILES, residual formaldehyde from crease-free finishing and printing aids is measured by water extraction (ISO 14184-1) or vapor absorption (ISO 14184-2). tanning and finishing process residue on LEATHER is determined by ISO 17226. IN WOODEN PANEL AND FURNITURE, the formaldehyde released from the glue into the air is measured by the chamber (EN 717-1) or gas analysis (ISO 12460-3) method, and the panel content is measured by the perforator method (ISO 12460-5). In COSMETICS, the amount released by formaldehyde-releasing preservatives is analyzed.

Purpose of Formaldehyde

The purpose is to determine whether the product complies with the limits for formaldehyde that comes into contact with skin or affects indoor air quality. Formaldehyde is restricted in many markets due to skin irritation and respiratory effects.

Which Products Is Formaldehyde Applied To?

Wrinkle-free finished fabrics and printed textiles
Baby, children and underwear products
Leather shoes, linings, gloves and clothing
Particleboard, MDF and plywood panels
Wooden furniture and panel based products
Cosmetic products containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

In Which Sectors Is Formaldehyde Used?

TextilesRetailConsumer ProductsLeatherFootwearFurnitureConstructionCosmetics

Standards Related to Formaldehyde

TS EN ISO 14184-1 (textile — free and hydrolyzed formaldehyde, water extraction)
TS EN ISO 14184-2 (textile — released formaldehyde, vapor absorption)
TS EN ISO 17226-1 / -2 (leather — HPLC and colorimetric method)
TS EN 717-1 (wooden panel — formaldehyde release by room method)
TS EN ISO 12460-3 (wooden panel — gas analysis method)
TS EN ISO 12460-5 (wooden panel — perforator method, panel content)
JIS L 1041

Formaldehyde Conditions

Textiles: Water extraction, at the temperature and time defined in the standard
Leather: Aqueous extraction; Coloring by HPLC or acetylacetone
wood panel: In an air-conditioned room or gas analysis cabin; temperature, humidity and air exchange rate are controlled
Measurement: Spectrophotometric reading or HPLC by acetylacetone method
Unit: mg/kg in textile and leather; mg/m³ or mg/m²·hour in panel release

Equipment for Formaldehyde

Water bath and shaker
UV/Vis spectrophotometer
HPLC
Steam absorption device
Formaldehyde release chamber (EN 717-1)
Gas analysis cabinet and perforator assembly

Sample Requirements for Formaldehyde

Approximately 1 g representative sample in textiles and leather
The sample should be stored in an airtight container; formaldehyde is volatile
Separate samples for each color, finish and component
A sample of a defined surface area on a wooden panel with edges sealed according to the standard
The time between sample collection and analysis should be kept short.

Duration of Formaldehyde

Textile and leather analyzes are generally completed within one to two business days. The chamber method in wood paneling is noticeably longer: the sample must be balanced in the chamber and the measurement is made only after this equilibrium has been achieved.

Formaldehyde Procedure

1The sample is prepared according to the matrix and weighed or cut to defined surface area.
2Aqueous extraction is performed on textile and leather under standard-defined conditions.
3In the wooden panel, the sample is placed in a conditioned room or gas analysis cabinet.
4The extract or collected air sample is prepared.
5It is colored with acetylacetone and measured in a spectrophotometer or directly in HPLC.
6The result is calculated in the unit appropriate to the matrix.

Formaldehyde Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion is the limit value in the target market's legislation or specification. In textile and leather, the limit differs depending on the product's skin contact status and age group; The strictest limit applies to baby products. Emission classes (such as E1) in wooden panels are defined in the product standard. The limit to be applied is confirmed by the current legislation and standard text.

Evaluation of Results

The difference in method is decisive: ISO 14184-1 and -2 results are different for the same product; In wood, the perforator (panel content) and the chamber method (release to air) measure completely different quantities and are not converted to each other. The report clearly states which method was applied and which limit the result was compared to.

Formaldehyde Report

Sample description, matrix and color/finish information
Standard and section applied
Result and determination limit, in the unit appropriate to the matrix
Room conditions and air exchange rate in wood
Compared limit value and its source

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

(EC) 1907/2006 REACH
(EU) 2023/1464 (formaldehyde restriction)
Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (labelling obligation)

Footwear and Leather Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Formaldehyde test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Footwear and leather testing assesses the physical durability and chemical safety of a product together. Footwear is a MULTI-COMPONENT product: the sole, upper, lining, insole, heel and bonding line are tested both individually and together. One component being good does not mean the product is good; failure usually appears where components join.

On the physical side, the most common field failure is SOLE-UPPER SEPARATION. Bond strength is therefore the most critical measurement in the field and is a direct indicator of the bonding process (surface preparation, adhesive selection, pressing conditions). Next come sole abrasion and flex resistance: a shoe is flexed hundreds of thousands of times over its life.

Slip resistance is the most important parameter for safety and its measurement depends on the surface: wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor give different results. Slip resistance is therefore reported not as a single number but with the surface and the direction of slip stated.

A separate body of work applies to protective footwear, and this is the most commercially critical distinction. Toe protection (impact and compression), penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, electrical insulation and fuel resistance are assessed under personal protective equipment requirements. CE is mandatory for these products and the category must be chosen correctly; an ordinary footwear test report does not satisfy that file.

On the chemical side, CHROMIUM (VI) has a special place in leather. The chromium (III) used in tanning can oxidise into chromium (VI) during storage and ageing; that is, a leather that was compliant at production may exceed the limit months later. The time of measurement and the history of the sample therefore affect the result, and measurement after ageing may be required.

Other chemical items are aromatic amines from azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, dimethyl fumarate and phthalates. These items come from REACH restrictions and brand restricted substance lists.

There is NO CE marking on consumer footwear; the obligation runs through material composition labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions and general product safety. Labelling has a rule of its own: the type of material used for the upper, the lining and insole and the outer sole is shown by pictograms.

Comfort and functional claims (waterproofness, moisture management, breathability) are supported by separate tests, and these claims require evidence if used in marketing copy.

Method groups in this field

Bonding and strength
Sole-upper bond strength, seam strength, heel attachment strength, strap and buckle strength.
Abrasion and flexing
Sole abrasion, flex resistance (dry and at low temperature), insole abrasion.
Slip resistance
Forward and backward slip measurements on wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor.
Protective properties
Toe impact and compression resistance, penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, fuel and chemical resistance.
Leather chemistry
Chromium (VI), azo dye amines, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, pH and fat content.
Comfort and function
Waterproofness, water vapour permeability, moisture management, colour fastness and the effect of perspiration.

Commonly confused in this field

Footwear claiming a protective function falls under PPE legislation and requires CE; a consumer footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
A chromium (VI) result depends on the age of the sample and its storage conditions; leather compliant at production may exceed the limit later.
Slip resistance is not a single number; it cannot be interpreted without stating the surface and the direction.
A result obtained for one component does not cover the whole product; the joints are tested separately.
Labelling rules run on material pictograms; an incorrect pictogram causes problems in customs and market surveillance.
A waterproofness claim is not verifiable unless the test used and the number of flex cycles after which it was measured are stated.

Which decisions these results support

Compliance with the brand restricted substance list
The PPE category and CE file for protective footwear
Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
Root cause analysis of field complaints (bond opening, sole separation)
Substantiation of functional claims

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Formaldehyde

Does washing reduce formaldehyde?

Reduces free formaldehyde. However, formaldehyde released from the resin finish over time is not completely eliminated by washing. The sample tested must represent the state in which the product will be offered for sale.

Which of the two methods is desired in textile?

Your specification states. Most retail specifications call for ISO 14184-1, which measures skin contact risk; 14184-2 is mostly used in storage and release evaluation in packaging.

Mobilyada panel raporu yeterli mi?

The panel supplier's report covers the raw material. In the final furniture, edge banding changes the surface finish and glue release used; Some specifications require measurements on the finished product. Which one is required depends on the target market and buyer.