E0 vs E1 boards: formaldehyde classes for cabinets in Australia
Reviewed by Bo, Project Manager at NOVARTE · Updated
What E0, E1 and Super E0 mean for kitchen and wardrobe boards in Australia, how emissions are tested, and what to ask an overseas supplier.
The practical answer
In Australia, MDF is classified by formaldehyde emission under AS/NZS 1859.2, tested by the AS/NZS 4266.16 desiccator method: E0 means 0.5 mg/L or less and E1 means 1.0 mg/L or less. “Super E0” is an industry label for lower emissions, not a class in the standard. Ask suppliers for current test reports that state the class, standard and method.
E0, E1 and Super E0 at a glance
| Label | Emission limit | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| E0 fibreboard | ≤0.5 mg/L | AS/NZS 1859.2; desiccator method |
| E1 fibreboard | ≤1.0 mg/L | AS/NZS 1859.2; desiccator method |
| Super E0 | Average ≤0.3 mg/L; maximum ≤0.4 mg/L in the cited EWPAA scheme | Industry label; confirm the scheme and report |
Different boards and methods need different evidence
AS/NZS 1859.2 covers dry-process fibreboard, including MDF. Particleboard and plywood use their own applicable product standards, so specify the material, standard edition and test method together.
Desiccator results in mg/L and chamber results in mg/m³ use different test methods. Compare like-for-like reports; structural plywood under AS/NZS 2269 is a separate product category from decorative cabinet plywood.
What Super E0 does, and does not, tell you
Super E0 is an industry label used in some supplier schemes. Request the sample identity, measured result and applicable scheme so that the specification is clear.
Chinese E1, E0 and ENF classifications use their own standards and test conditions. Request the standard and method named in the project specification rather than substituting a label from another system.
Ask the supplier for a usable report
- Identify the board manufacturer, product code, thickness, substrate and intended use.
- Specify carcass, doors, shelves, backing and any different boards separately.
- Request the named standard, edition, test method, measured result and classification.
- Check the laboratory, report date, sample identity and connection to the material being supplied.
- Review adhesives, finishes and edge treatment as part of the specification rather than relying on the core-board label alone.
Discuss testing before production
NOVARTE can discuss project-specific testing arrangements. Agree the sample, laboratory, test scope, applicable standard, fees and acceptance criteria before the work is commissioned. A report on a sample should not be presented as a blanket certification for all products.
Your designer or qualified project team should set the material requirements for the intended building and use. Keep the approved sample and report reference with the drawings so that purchasing and production follow the same specification.
Sources
- polytec-hosted EWPAA certificate, issued 24 May 2018
- New Zealand Government Building CodeHub: AS/NZS 1859.2:2017 scope
- Standards Australia: AS/NZS 1859.2:2017 catalogue
The linked 2018 EWPAA certificate illustrates the cited fibreboard limits; current product reports and your project specification govern the selected boards.
Common questions
Does E0 have a lower emission limit than E1?+
Yes, E0 has the lower limit: 0.5 mg/L against 1.0 mg/L for MDF. Check the actual report, because results and methods differ between products.
Is E1 acceptable for my project?+
E1 is a recognised class for interior boards in Australia. Many kitchens, bedrooms and hotels specify E0; follow your designer’s specification.
Is Super E0 an Australian standard class?+
No. It is an industry label; ask which scheme and report support the claim.