DGM Emission Label

What is an emission label?

An emission label provides the consumer with information on pollutant emission and is supposed to protect the consumer against health hazards.

The emission label developed by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. refers to a collection / a model and is directly attached to these products.

Classification is proven based on relevant pollutant tests. The label is exclusively awarded by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V.

The emission label may be awarded to the following collections/models:

  • Seating furniture
  • Cabinet furniture
  • Tables
  • Office furniture
  • Slatted frames
  • Mattresses
  • Beds

What are emission classes?

Seating furniture (upholstered)

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 450
µg/m³
≤ 600
µg/m³
≤ 900
µg/m³
≤ 1200
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 80
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 150
µg/m³
≤ 180
µg/m³
CMR substances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC vithout LCI ≤ 40
µg/m³
     
R-value ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1

 

Cabinet furniture, tables, office furniture, slatted frames and possibly seating furniture (not upholstered)

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 450
µg/m³
≤ 600
µg/m³
≤ 900
µg/m³
≤ 1200
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 100
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m
≤ 150
µg/m³
≤ 180
µg/m³
CMR substances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC vithout LCI ≤ 100
µg/m³
     
R-value ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1

 

Mattresses

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 200
µg/m³
≤ 300
µg/m
≤ 400
µg/m³
≤ 500
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 40
µg/m³
≤ 80
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 160
µg/m³
CMR substrances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC without LCI ≤ 40
µg/m³
     
R-value ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1

 

Emission classes for beds

(Requirements for mattresses, slatted frames, cabinet furniture and possibly seating furniture)

Mattresses

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 200
µg/m³
≤ 300
µg/m
≤ 400
µg/m³
≤ 500
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 40
µg/m³
≤ 80
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 160
µg/m³
CMR substances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC without LCI ≤ 40
µg/m³
     

 

Slatted frames and cabinet furniture

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 450
µg/m³
≤ 600
µg/m
≤ 900
µg/m³
≤ 1200
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 100
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 150
µg/m³
≤ 180
µg/m³
CMR substances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC without LCI ≤ 100
µg/m³
     

 

Seating furniture (upholstered)

Substance Class A Class B Class C Class D
Formaldehyde ≤ 60
µg/m³
≤ 90
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
TVOC ≤ 450
µg/m³
≤ 600
µg/m
≤ 900
µg/m³
≤ 1200
µg/m³
TSVOC ≤ 80
µg/m³
≤ 120
µg/m³
≤ 150
µg/m³
≤ 180
µg/m³
CMR substances ≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
≤ 1
µg/m³
Sum of VOC without LCI ≤ 40
µg/m³
     

 

What does emission class A mean?

Emission class A complies with the requirements of limit values in accordance with RAL-GZ 430 and/or the requirements of the Blue Angel RAL-UZ 38 (wood-based materials), RAL-UZ 117 (upholstered furniture) and/or RAL-UZ 119 (mattresses).

What does emission class D mean?

Emission class D complies with the legal requirement regarding the limit value for formaldehyde.

Who can apply for the emission label?

Furniture manufacturers for seating furniture, cabinet furniture, tables, office furniture, slatted frames, mattresses and beds in conjunction with a contract concerning the use of the trademark who comply with the requirements for the awarding of the DGM emission label.

Which products may be awarded the DGM emission label?

  • Seating furniture
  • Cabinet furniture
  • Tables
  • Office furniture
  • Slatted frames
  • Mattresses
  • Beds

Requisite proof

  • Test protocols from neutral testing institutes
  • Test methods and requirements according to RAL-GZ 430 or in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Blue Angel
  • Annual reviews in the first three years, afterwards subsequent tests and proof every two years

What does the RAL quality mark “Golden M” mean?

The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. was founded in 1963 and celebrated its 50th  anniversary in 2013. By now, more than 120 members – furniture manufacturers and suppliers in Germany and abroad – have voluntarily committed to comply with the DGM requirements in the quality system of RAL. These requirements do not only refer to longevity and proper function but also to consumer safety and health as well as environmentally-friendly production. Each individual factor is thoroughly tested in independent testing institutes and monitored through regular subsequent tests.

What does the eco-label “Blue Angel” mean?

The Blue Angel guarantees that the products and services meet high standards for environmental, health and usage properties. For a correct assessment, the complete life cycle must be always taken into account. Products and services labelled with the Blue Angel must meet the relevant criteria developed for every product group. In order to reflect technical developments, the German Federal Environment Agency reviews these criteria every three to four years. Thus, companies are required to make their products more and more environmentally-friendly. In 2013, the Blue Angel celebrated its 35th anniversary. The eco-label has achieved great success in environmental and consumer policies and has become an acknowledged label with a high orientation value.

Vergabegrundlagen des DGM - Emissionslabels