EMICODE® seal
Here you will find information on the EMICODE® seal
EMICODE® - test mark for low-emission installation materials and building products
The EMICODE seal is a certification awarded by the Gemeinschaft Emissionskontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe, Klebstoffe und Bauprodukte e.V. (GEV). It identifies products that are particularly low in emissions and thus contribute to improving indoor air quality. The seal is divided into three classes: EC1PLUS (very low emission), EC1 (low emission) and EC2 (low emission).
Products with the EMICODE seal undergo strict testing procedures to ensure that they only release low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The aim of the seal is to provide consumers and professionals with guidance on how to recognize and use environmentally and health-friendly building products.
The EMICODE® seal is suitable for the following product groups:
- Floor and substrate preparation
- Wall structure
- Tile and natural stone
- Floor coverings and parquet
- Surface treatment agents/ varnishes/ sealants/ oils
- Insulation and sealant/ vapor retarders/ decoupling plates
- Other adhesives
- Synthetic resin coatings for floors
- Other building products for the interior
Award criteria for the EMICODE® seal
Emission limit values for installation materials and other building products:
µg/m3 |
EC1PLUS |
EC1 |
EC2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVOC after 3 days | ≤ 750 | ≤ 1000 | ≤ 3000 |
| TVOC after 28 days | ≤ 60 | ≤ 100 | ≤ 300 |
| TSVOC after 28 days | ≤ 40 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 100 |
| R-value based on AgBB-NIK values after 28 days | ≤ 1 | – | – |
| Sum of VOCs for which no LCI value is available | ≤ 40 | – | – |
| Formaldehyde after 3 days | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 |
| Acetaldehyde after 3 days | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 |
| Sum of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde | ≤ 0.05 ppm | ≤ 0.05 ppm | ≤ 0.05 ppm |
| Sum of volatile K1A/K1B substances after 3 days | < 10 | < 10 | < 10 |
| Each volatile K1A/K1B substance after 28 days | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
Emission limit values for surface treatment agents:
µg/m3 |
EC1PLUS |
EC1 |
EC2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total TVOC+TSVOC after 28 days | ≤ 100, of which max. 40 SVOC |
≤ 150, of which max. 50 SVOC |
≤ 400, of which max. 100 SVOC |
| R-value based on AgBB-NIK values after 28 days | ≤ 1 | – | – |
| Sum of VOCs for which no LCI value is available | ≤ 40 | – | – |
| Formaldehyde after 3 days | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 |
| Acetaldehyde after 3 days | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 |
| Sum of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde | ≤ 0.05 ppm | ≤ 0.05 ppm | ≤ 0.05 ppm |
| Sum of volatile K1A/K1B substances after 3 days | < 10 | < 10 | < 10 |
| Each volatile K1A/K1B substance after 28 days | < 1 | < 1 |
< 1 |
EMICODE® seal: Certification body
The certification body for the EMICODE seal is GEV (Gemeinschaft Emissionskontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe, Klebstoffe und Bauprodukte e.V.). GEV is responsible for awarding the EMICODE seal, which tests and certifies products for their low-emission properties.
Costs for the EMICODE® seal
The costs for certification with the EMICODE seal can vary depending on the product and supplier. The EMICODE seal is awarded by GEV (Gemeinschaft Emissionskontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe, Klebstoffe und Bauprodukte e.V.). The exact costs may depend on various factors such as product type, scope of testing and the certification body selected.
To obtain specific information on current costs, it would be advisable to contact GEV directly or an accredited certification body that awards the EMICODE seal.
Is the EMICODE® label mandatory?
The EMICODE seal is not mandatory. This is a voluntary certification that companies can apply for in order to certify their products as low-emission. The aim of the seal is to provide consumers and professionals with guidance and to label environmentally and health-friendly building products.
Recognition of the EMICODE® seal for certification systems
The EMICODE seal is conducive to certification systems such as DGNB, LEED, BREEAM and others. Products bearing the EMICODE seal meet strict criteria for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which helps to improve indoor air quality. Such properties are often included in the assessment criteria of various sustainable building certification systems.
The emicode.com website emphasizes that the EMICODE seal supports sustainable construction and is recognized and taken into account in many national and international certification systems. Products with the EMICODE seal can therefore make a positive contribution to achieving the certification goals of systems such as DGNB, LEED and BREEAM by helping to meet the requirements for healthy and environmentally friendly interiors.