NEA studying issue of formaldehyde in wood products, adhesives

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) is actively studying the issue of formaldehyde emitted from composite wood products and adhesives following a reported rise in cases of the harmful chemical in homes. 
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng said on Tuesday (Aug 6) that NEA is reviewing international best practices, guidelines and regulatory requirements regarding formaldehyde.
Mr Baey was responding to questions filed in parliament about the use of the carcinogen in furniture. 
Formaldehyde is currently used as a preservative in some paints as it inhibits bacterial and fungal growth. It is used in wooden furniture as it can make strong resins and glues. 
CNA reported in July that more home owners were seeking help for high formaldehyde levels, with one family’s children falling ill repeatedly because of the chemical.
Treatment firms that CNA spoke to said that cases were on the rise compared with last year, with one seeing a spike of up to 70 per cent. 
Short-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, or breathing difficulties. In the long term, someone exposed to the chemical could contract cancer.
Members of Parliament asked about the measures in place to protect consumers from formaldehyde.
MP Edward Chia (PAP-Holland-Bukit Timah) asked if the authorities would consider implementing stricter import regulations or mandatory testing on imported wooden furniture. 
MP Cheryl Chan (PAP-East Coast) asked if formaldehyde checks were conducted on companies selling building products and if renovation contractors will be required to show proof that indoor formaldehyde concentration levels are below a limit when renovations are completed. 
Mr Baey said that the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) has been monitoring the issue of formaldehyde levels in indoor premises. 
NEA has received 19 instances of feedback on formaldehyde levels arising from renovation works since 2020, he said. 
“The furniture industry has made an effort to lower formaldehyde emissions,” said Mr Baey, who added that the Alliance for Action on Sustainable Spaces – jointly formed by the Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Furniture Industries Council and Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) – developed and launched a set of industry guidelines and recommendations to improve indoor air quality last year. 
These include recommendations on formaldehyde emission limits for products and furnishing used indoors.
Singapore will be regulating formaldehyde in interior paints. It was announced during this year’s Committee of Supply debates that interior paints with formaldehyde will not be allowed for sale here from Jan 1, 2026. 
Formaldehyde in paint will be regulated as a hazardous substance under the Environmental Protection and Management Act, said Mr Baey. 
Companies found importing, manufacturing or possessing for the purpose of selling or offering for sale in Singapore interior paints with formaldehyde levels equal to or exceeding 0.01 per cent of the weight of the paint may be fined up to S$50,000 or jailed for up to two years, or both. 
To MP Rachel Ong’s (PAP-West Coast) question on why the ban could not be brought forward, Mr Baey said that the current timeline “(struck) a balance between safeguarding public health and giving the industry sufficient time to adapt to the new requirements based on its feedback”. 
“In the meantime, interior paints with no added formaldehyde are already available in the Singapore market,” he added. 
He encouraged the public to use products certified with the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, administered by the Singapore Environment Council, or the Singapore Green Building Product Certification Scheme administered by the SGBC. 
Wood products bearing the Singapore Green Label will have formaldehyde levels certified to be low or non-detectable, while interior paints certified with the label will have no formaldehyde. 
Mr Baey advised occupants of indoor spaces with products that contain formaldehyde to improve ventilation and promote air circulation in the spaces by opening doors and windows. 
He also advised them to use fans and ventilation systems to dilute the concentration of formaldehyde in the spaces.
MP Melvin Yong (PAP-Radin Mas), who is also the president of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), said that the organisation received 10 complaints related to strong chemical odours from new furniture such as mattresses, sofas and wardrobes in the first half of this year. 
“Some consumers reported experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and coughing after being exposed to what is suspected to be formaldehyde,” said Mr Yong. 
He asked if MSE would consider regulating formaldehyde levels in furniture in a similar manner to the planned regulation of paint. 
Referring to his earlier reply, Mr Baey said the ministry was reviewing how the law could also apply to items such as composite wood products and adhesives.
“So consumers or people undertaking renovation works should discuss with the contractors to demand that the products used meet these requirements, and also if they are personally more concerned with such content, they should specify for products that do not contain (formaldehyde),” he said.