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Vermont Woods Studios
They will likely need significant technical and marketing
support to ensure their conformance to EUDR.

Countdown to new EU wood formaldehyde restrictions
Suppliers of wood-based articles and furniture to the EU market
have until August to meet strict new rules on formaldehyde

emissions.
These products were brought under the remit of the
REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and
Restriction of Chemicals), the central pillar of EU Chemicals EU companies across partner countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,
legislation, in 2023 under Regulation (EU) 2023/1464. Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean,
Enforcement of the new rules starts on 6 August 2026, covering key sectors including climate and energy, digital,
for wood-based article and furniture makers, while vehicle education and research, health, and transport.
interiors product suppliers have until 6 August 2027. Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela
The new limit is 0.062 mg/m3 for these product categories. said: “One of the key priorities of my mandate is to enhance

That is exactly half the value of 0.124 mg/m3 as recommended the involvement of the private sector in Global Gateway
by the World Health Organisation, on which the established projects, as their expertise, innovation, and investment are
European E1 classification is based. crucial to our success.
Although it is stressed that the new rules do not apply to The launch of the Global Gateway Investment Hub marks
formaldehyde-containing products or materials, notably virgin a major step forward in making EU support more accessible
wood, that release the substance into the atmosphere naturally. and effective for companies eager to engage in sustainable
According to international testing services provider Mesurlabs, and strategic investments globally.

a range of other goods and items are also exempt. These By providing a clear and coordinated pathway for private
include second-hand articles, products used exclusively outdoors sector participation, we are creating win-win partnerships that
and products for exclusively industrial or professional use. advance global development while opening new markets and
To support compliance, the European Commission Chemicals opportunities for European businesses.”
Agency (ECHA) in November 2025 published guidelines on The Global Gateway Investment Hub will provide a central
appropriate emission testing methods under the new rules. framework for receiving and assessing EU private sector
This clarifies reference conditions in Appendix 14 of the investment projects and connecting them with a broad array
REACH Regulation and explains how to handle results obtained of financial and non-financial EU support, including funding
from tests under different conditions. from the European Commission, European Investment Bank

(EIB), development financial institutions (DFIs), export-credit
Global Gateway Investment Hub—opportunities for agencies, and national governments.
forestry and tropical timber private sector financing By offering a clear, coordinated, and agile entry point for
The Global Gateway Investment Hub is an initiative designed investment proposals, the Hub will foster impactful projects
to streamline and amplify private sector involvement in the that promote sustainable development abroad while opening
EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy. new opportunities for EU businesses. FDM
This new platform aims to facilitate investment projects by ENQUIRY NO. 2101