Health & materials

Furniture formaldehyde grades: E1, E0, ENF, F4-star explained

“Eco-friendly” means nothing. The number in mg/m³ means everything.

Chinese grades (GB/T 39600-2021)

E1 ≤ 0.124 mg/m³ — the national mandatory threshold for indoor use.

E0 ≤ 0.050 mg/m³ — stricter; where most brands position their “eco” lines.

ENF ≤ 0.025 mg/m³ — currently the strictest domestic grade (no-added-formaldehyde class).

International reference points

Japan F4-star (F☆☆☆☆) ≤ 0.030 mg/m³ — extremely demanding.

US CARB Phase 2 ≤ 0.050 mg/m³ — the entry bar for the US market.

How to verify

E0 is already decent, but do not treat it as the finish line—for babies or sensitive households, look for ENF or F4-star and ask for the test report (SGS or CMA both work).

Grades apply to the panel, not the finished piece: poor edge banding lets cumulative emissions climb anyway. If the showroom smells sharp and no report appears, walk away.

Field experience

In 19 years we have handled hundreds of panel test reports. The ex-factory price gap between E0 and ENF boards is small, but many sellers deliberately avoid stating any grade and just say “eco”. Buyers who ask for grades and reports do not get carried away by marketing language.

About Yijian

We have worked in Foshan furniture for 19 years and know 200+ source factories in the Lecong–Longjiang belt personally. Our service: plan a route around your budget, shortlist factories to your style, verify materials on site, negotiate, and get the contract signed in one day. We never touch your payment, never take kickbacks—only a fixed fee of RMB 800 per day (about US$110, rate as of Oct 2026), car transport within the belt included. How the service works →

Common questions

Which is stricter, E0 or ENF?

ENF (≤0.025 mg/m³) is stricter than E0 (≤0.050) and is currently the toughest domestic grade.

Is E1 board acceptable?

E1 (≤0.124 mg/m³) is the national mandatory indoor threshold—usable, but sensitive households should choose E0 or above.

What does Japan's F4-star correspond to?

F4-star (≤0.030 mg/m³) sits between E0 and ENF, with extremely strict requirements.

How do I verify a claimed grade?

Ask for an SGS or CMA test report and read the measured emission number—never rely on verbal claims.

Keep reading

Talk to us

Tell us your list and budget before you book a flight

Message us on WeChat or call. We will tell you honestly whether a sourcing trip to Foshan makes sense for you.

Call +86 181 0757 0807