The Korea Consumer Protection Board (KCPB) tested the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) generated through 9 types of furniture (sofa, kitchen furniture, office furniture & bed), and surveyed 304 consumers who purchased new furniture in the past 2 years. 

 

Test results showed that VOCs and formaldehyde generated from leather sofas, beds and kitchen furniture. But there are currently no regulations that deal with harmful substances generating from household furniture, which is aggravating the problem. 

According to the consumer survey, 2 out of 5 respondents who purchased new furniture in the past 2 years replied that they suffered from itchy eyes and scratchy throat. 

 

■ 43.6% of consumers who purchased new furniture experienced itchy eyes and scratchy throat 

 

In the past 4 years, KCPB received a total of 264 consumer complaints involving furniture odors. The number of cases is increasing each year: 2002 (34 cases)→2003 (43 cases)→2004 (88 cases)→2005 (99 cases). 

 

 

 

KCPB tested the amount of formaldehyde and VOCs generated from 9 types of furniture (4 sofas, 1 kitchen furniture, 1 office furniture and 3 beds). Test results indicated that all 4 sofas and kitchen furniture generated VOCS which exceeded the environment mark standard. The consumer protection agency also found that synthetic leather generated more VOCs than natural leather. And the thicker the synthetic leather, the more VOCs generated. Formaldehyde was found to exceed the environment mark standard in 2 beds and office furniture. 

 

 

The amount of VOCs generated from ‘particle boards’ mostly used in wooden furniture such as closets and desks differed according to the type of finishing materials used. The generation amount of VOCs in ‘decoration seats’ was 7 times higher than that of ‘LPM (Low Pressure Melamine sheet)’. 

 

In another test, the amount of harmful substances differed when exposing all sides and sides that sprayed finishing materials. The amount of VOCs or formaldehyde generated was low from particle boards in which finishing material was sprayed. 

 

 

KCPB surveyed 18 furniture manufacturing companies on the use of environment marks. Among them, only 6 companies (33.3%) received environment marks which reflect the need to enhance efforts in manufacturing environment-friendly furniture. 

 

Meanwhile, 77.8% of the manufacturing companies responded said that it placed great importance on manufacturing environment-friendly furniture. This shows that manufacturers are well aware of the quality aspects of furniture. 

 

Based on the above findings, KCPB will propose to the Korea Agency for Technology & Standards (KATS) to establish standards and test methods on harmful substances generating from furniture. Furthermore, it reminded the furniture manufacturing industry to use finishing materials that prevent generation of harmful substances, and to follow appropriate handling procedures to sufficiently generate harmful substances in the furniture before it is shipped.