By KiiDS.SHOP · Published October 11, 2026

What should you check first when buying children's furniture? In the technical data sheet, look for the specific material, its emission label, and the measurement method. The label applies to the declared material, not automatically to every component or the entire product. If a cabinet combines particleboard and MDF, it is not enough to know that one of the boards has a certain class.

In the technical data sheet for children's furniture, verify which specific material and component the emission label refers to and by what method it was measured. The supplier source distinguishes between E1, E0, and Japanese F☆☆☆☆; it lists values for both the chamber and desiccator methods. Results from these methods are not directly interchangeable, and a label for one material does not automatically apply to the entire product.

That is why the emission class of furniture cannot be read as a simple "whole piece" label. The E1, E0, and F☆☆☆☆ labels come from different frameworks, and emission data can be reported according to different test methods. The supplier article, on which the examples below are based, also describes how it selects materials according to the function of individual components. Source explanation of emission labels

Why Does the Material of a Specific Part Matter?

Children spend time near furniture and breathe the air around it. The supplier article states that children breathe faster than adults and, relative to their body weight, take in more substances present in their immediate environment; their developing systems may be more sensitive to conditions in the space. The source uses this argument as a starting point for a more careful selection of materials.

When reading a technical data sheet, therefore, focus on which board or part the data refers to. The practical question is: Is the label given for the entire product, or only for a specific material? If the sheet does not distinguish this information, ask about the composition of the individual parts. This prevents the conclusion that one declared material automatically describes the entire piece of furniture.

The supplier states that in production it selects materials according to their structural purpose and has introduced the F☆☆☆☆ designation, i.e., F4-star, for its structural particleboard. This is its description of its own material selection, not proof that every product or every part of it carries the same designation.

Furniture Emission Class: What Do E1, E0, and F☆☆☆☆ Mean?

In the supplier article, E1 and E0 are associated with the European framework, and F☆☆☆☆ (F4-star) with the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS). The source also describes different test procedures: for European classes, the chamber method, and for the Japanese F-star system, the desiccator method. Therefore, when comparing, it is not enough to look only at the abbreviation or number.

With the chamber method, according to the source, the amount of gas released from the material into the chamber space over time is monitored. With the desiccator method, the wood core is placed above water; the source describes this procedure as a way of capturing chemical molecules released from the material's layers.

According to the supplier article, E1 belongs to the European class under EN 13986. E0 appears in it as a class developed by the industry with gradual improvements in manufacturing capabilities. F☆☆☆☆ is assigned in the article to the Japanese JAS. These are therefore designations with different origins, not three names for the same test.

How to Read Limits in mg/m³ and mg/L?

The supplier source provides values for both the chamber and desiccator methods. Keep these units and results together with the test designation: values from different methods are not directly interchangeable. The following data therefore represent the values stated in the source, not an independent comparison of classes or a universal interpretation of rules applicable in every market.

• E1: maximum 0.124 mg/m³ in the chamber method; approximately 1.5 mg/L in the desiccator method.
• E0: maximum 0.050 mg/m³ in the chamber method; approximately 0.5 mg/L in the desiccator method.
• F☆☆☆☆ (F4-star): maximum 0.020 mg/m³ in the chamber method; approximately 0.3 mg/L in the desiccator method. When reviewing a technical data sheet, also pay attention to whether it states the value in mg/m³ or mg/L and by which method it was obtained. Numbers from two different procedures cannot be placed side by side as if they were the same test. If the document only lists an emission class without further details, you may request clarification of the material and method.

The supplier article further states that E1 is a recognized class within the European framework and links it to the need for adequate ventilation. For F☆☆☆☆, it refers to the Japanese Building Standards Act and claims that materials with this designation have no area restrictions for use in residential interiors. This is the source's claim about the Japanese framework, not a general rule for the Slovak or Czech market.

Why can one piece of furniture combine different classes?

Different parts of furniture can have different structural roles, and therefore also different materials. The supplier states that they use particle board labeled F☆☆☆☆ for larger structural parts, where they value stability in various directions and bending strength. According to their explanation, this choice is meant to help the parts bear loads without developing twisting over time.

AI GENERATED

For selected components, the supplier uses E0-grade MDF or multi-layer solid wood board. At the same time, they claim that these types of materials do not have an F4-star rating, so the F☆☆☆☆ label cannot be expected from them. This is an important difference when reading the technical sheet: a different material may have its own declared emission data, even if it is part of the same product.

As specific examples, the supplier cites E0-grade MDF for the back panels of some Plus and Cube Max cabinets. They also use MDF for the shelves of the No. 1 Desk, where, according to the source, it helps achieve a smooth surface; for back panels, they mention the aim for a slim profile that particle board does not provide. This is a description of a specific supplier's choice, not a universal rule for all furniture.

What does responsible material selection involve?

The supplier's article extends the topic of emission labels to production as well. Alongside F☆☆☆☆ boards, they mention water-based paints and FSC-certified solid wood. They also claim that limiting chemical solvents and reducing emissions applies to factory conditions, where workers spend time processing materials.

When purchasing, this leads to a practical approach: first find out what a specific part is made of, then verify which emission label and test method apply to it. The abbreviation alone does not tell the whole story. What matters is what exactly the technical sheet declares.

Key Takeaways

• Verify whether the emission label applies to a specific board or to multiple parts of the product.
• For each emission value, also look for the test method; chamber and desiccator results are not directly interchangeable.
• E1, E0, and F☆☆☆☆ have different origins depending on the supplier source and are not just different names for the same system.
• A single piece of furniture can combine particleboard, MDF, and multi-layer solid wood board with different declarations.

Practical Tips

• If the technical data sheet is incomplete, ask what material the individual parts are made of and which of them the stated class applies to.
• When comparing documents, write down the emission value together with the unit and method, not just the number itself.
• Always link claims about usage restrictions to the stated legal framework; a claim about Japan does not automatically explain the rules for the Slovak market.