scope:

The present standard describes an extraction methode known as "Perforator Method". It is used for the determination of the formaldehyde content of unlaminated and uncoated wood-based panels. The formaldehyde is extracted from test pieces by means of boiling toluene and then transferred into distilled or demineralized water. The formaldehyde content of this aqeous solution is determined photometrically by the acetylacetone method. The 'perforator value' as determined by the method laid down in this standard is considered tobe the 'formaldehyde content' of the tested board. The test result shall be considered in relation to the specific board conditions at the time of testing. The emission of formaldehyde from wood-based panels (e.g. particleboard, plywood, fibreboard) is a complex process. For a given board, the test result depends upon the age, ageing conditions, moisture content etc., at the time of testing. In addition, the correlation between the perforator value and the formaldehyde emission of the board depends on the type of board.