On June 25, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (State Standardization Administration) approved the release of the mandatory national standard GB 18584-2024 "Limits of Hazardous Substances in Furniture", which specifies the limit requirements and inspection results for harmful substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), migratory harmful elements, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, decomposable aromatic amine dyes, radioactive nuclides, dimethyl fumarate, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in different categories of furniture. This standard will replace GB 18584-2001 and GB 28481-2012 and will be officially implemented on July 1, 2025.
GB 18584-2024 "Limits of Hazardous Substances in Furniture" has changed the requirements and test methods for formaldehyde emissions; Added definitions, requirements, and testing methods for transferable harmful elements; Added requirements and test methods for benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds, radioactive isotopes, and dimethyl fumarate.
▶ Scope of application: This standard is applicable to all types of furniture products.
▶ Main technical requirements of the standard:
Transportable harmful elements
The standard imposes limit requirements on 8 migratory elements such as lead, arsenic, antimony, etc. in the surface coating of furniture products. For infant and children's furniture, transferable elements are suitable for coatings in all accessible areas; For other furniture, it is only suitable for color paint coating. The limit of harmful elements that can be transferred in furniture should comply with the provisions of Table 2.
Other harmful substances
For different materials used in furniture such as plastic, textiles, leather, stone, and soft furniture products shipped by sea, as well as products declared to have flame retardant properties in public places, limit requirements have been set for phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, degradable aromatic amine dyes, radioactive nuclides, dimethyl fumarate, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are suitable for plastic parts in accessible areas of plastic furniture and furniture for infants, young children, and children; Decomposable aromatic amine dyes are suitable for textile fabrics, leather, and synthetic leather materials; Radionuclides are suitable for stone components in furniture; Dimethyl fumarate is suitable for soft furniture products shipped by sea; Polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers are suitable for public places and furniture products declared to have flame retardant properties. The limit of other harmful substances in furniture should comply with the provisions of Table 3.
