ISO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 15234 First edition 1999-02-15 Paints and varnishes Testing of formaldehyde-emitting coatings and melamine foams Determination of the steady-stateconcentrationofformaldehyde in a small test chamber Peinturesetvernis-Essais desrevetements etmoussesmélamines qui emettent du formaldehyde-Determination de la concentration a I'équilibre duformaldehydedansunepetitechambred'essai ISO Reference number ISO15234:1999(E) se with ISt Not for Resale ISO15234:1999(E) Foreword federation of national standards bodies (iSO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through isO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,governmental and non- governmental, in liaison with IsO, also take part in the work. IsO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization. Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the memberbodies for voting.Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote. International Standard iSO 15234 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC35,Paintsandvarnishes,SubcommitteeSC10,Testmethodsfor bindersforpaintsandvarnishes. Annexes A and B form an integral part of this International Standard. Annex C is for information only. ISO1999 All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced microfilm, withoutpermission in writing from thepublisher. InternationalOrganizationforStandardization Case postale 56.CH-1211 Geneve 20·Switzerland Internet [email protected] Printed in Switzerland Not for Resale ISO 15234:1999(E) INTERNATIONALSTANDARD ISO Paints and varnishes - Testing of formaldehyde-emitting coatings andmelaminefoamsDeterminationofthesteady-state concentrationofformaldehydeinasmalltestchamber 1 Scope This International Standard specifies a test method for determining the equilibrium concentration of formaldehyde from formaldehyde-emitting coatings and melamine foams in a small test chamber. It describes the determination of the equilibrium concentration of formaldehyde that is established in air at 23 °C and 50 %relative humidity.The test closely simulates practical conditions and can be performed on a laboratory scale Goodcorrelationisobtainedwithvaluesobtainedonsamplesofthesamematerialina4om3testchamber.The method, which is simple to perform, is therefore suitable for the preliminary determination of limits that have to be adhered to. 2Normativereferences The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this InternationalStandard.Atthetimeofpublication,theeditionsindicatedwerevalid.Allstandardsaresubjectto revision,andpartiesto agreementsbasedonthisInternationalStandard are encouragedto investigatethe possibilityofapplyingthemost recenteditionsof thestandards indicatedbelow.Membersof IEC and ISOmaintain registersofcurrentlyvalidInternationalStandards Iso3270:1984,Paintsandvarnishesandtheirrawmaterials-Temperaturesandhumiditiesforconditioningand testing. ISO3696:1987,Waterforanalyticallaboratoryuse-Specificationandtestmethod. 3Definitions For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply. 3.1 equilibriumconcentration Ceql the concentration determined at one-hour intervals differ by less than 0,o2 mg/m3 Copyright Intermational Organization for Standardizatior