Materials & Certification / Formaldehyde Limits by Material
Formaldehyde Emission Limits by Material: Plywood, MDF, and Solid Wood
Last reviewed June 2026
CARB Phase 2 is widely cited, but its formaldehyde limits are not the same for every material. A fully compliant MDF panel is allowed to emit more than twice the formaldehyde of a compliant plywood panel. The table below compares the official limits under the U.S. EPA's current TSCA Title VI rule, which codified CARB Phase 2.
| Material | CARB P2 / TSCA Title VI limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood plywood (veneer core) | 0.05 ppm | Lowest limit among regulated composite panels |
| Particleboard | 0.09 ppm | - |
| MDF | 0.11 ppm | Over 2x the plywood limit |
| Thin MDF (8 mm or under) | 0.13 ppm | Highest limit |
| Solid wood (lumber) | Not regulated | No added-formaldehyde resin core; outside CARB composite-panel scope |
| MJK birch plywood (tested) | 0.039 ppm | Report HJ-QAT-260457 - 22% below the plywood limit |
Source: U.S. EPA, Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (TSCA Title VI), codifying CARB ATCM Phase 2. ppm = parts per million.
Common questions
Why does MDF have a higher formaldehyde limit than plywood?
Because the materials are built differently. MDF is fine wood fibre bound with a large amount of resin, and resin is the main source of formaldehyde. Plywood is thin veneer layers using comparatively less resin per panel. CARB therefore allows MDF a higher ceiling (0.11 ppm) than hardwood plywood (0.05 ppm). The practical result: a "CARB-compliant" MDF panel may still emit more than twice as much formaldehyde as a compliant plywood panel.
Is "CARB Phase 2 compliant" the same as "low formaldehyde"?
Not exactly. Compliant only means a panel stays under the limit for its own material class. Because those limits differ by material, a compliant MDF panel (0.11 ppm or under) can emit well above a compliant plywood panel (0.05 ppm or under). Looking at the material type and the actual tested value tells you more about real emissions than the compliance label alone.
How can I verify MJK's formaldehyde test result?
MJK's 18 mm birch plywood substrate tested at 0.039 ppm under report number HJ-QAT-260457, issued by a third-party laboratory. A copy of the report is available on request for order verification. That result is about 22% below the 0.05 ppm CARB Phase 2 limit for hardwood plywood.