A continuation FindAnyFloor's Article on Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Green Adhesives

When it comes to formaldehyde emission standards for adhesives, the Japanese have their own rating system known as the Japanese JIS/JAS standards. These are set forth by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) departments and apply to formaldehyde emitting building materials, which includes flooring adhesives.

The Japanese JIS/JAS emission standards are broken down into four levels labeled as F*, F**, F***, and F****. Because the emission standards are measured in mg/m2h, it makes it difficult to compare ratings to those given by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) Phase 1 and Phase 2 standards and the European E1 and E2 Formaldehyde Emission Standards, which are measured in parts per million (ppm). Therefore, in this blog, I will provide you with additional information to give you an idea of the level of safety associated with each of these formaldehyde emission ratings, which are commonly used worldwide.

Japanese JIS/JAS F* – Adhesives with this emission level have a formaldehyde emission rate that is greater than 0.12 mg/m2h. This is considered a high level of formaldehyde emissions and is not permitted for use in Japan. Engineered hardwood, bamboo, or laminate floors with an F* rating are known as Type 1 formaldehyde–emitting building materials, and would not be considered "green".

Japanese JIS/JAS F** – With this Japanese JIS/JAS standard, the formaldehyde emission rate of an adhesive cannot exceed 0.12 mg/m2h. These are known as Type 2 formaldehyde–emitting building materials and they have restricted areas of use.

Japanese JIS/JAS F*** – Formaldehyde emissions must not exceed 0.005 mg/m2h with the F*** emission rating. These materials are called Type 3 formaldehyde–emitting building materials and, like F**, also have limited approved areas of use.

Japanese JIS/JAS F**** – Any adhesive with the F**** mark can proudly claim a formaldehyde emission rate below 0.005 mg/m2h. These adhesives are approved for use in Japan without restrictions.

To sum it up, composite wood products such as bamboo floors, engineered hardwood flooring, and laminate flooring that contain adhesives which meet or exceed Japanese JIS/JAS F**** Emission Standards are the most preferred of the Japanese ratings when it comes to choosing floors made with green flooring adhesives.