The Building Information Foundation RTS
is Finland's leading information service for the building and construction
sector. Its mission is to foster and promote good planning and construction
practices as well as sound property management procedures. The Building
Information Foundation RTS is a private foundation with representatives from 49
Finnish building organisations.
These instructions describe the principles of the
emission classification of building materials. They were approved by the
Building Information Foundation RTS Committee Indoor Air Classification (EPT
24) at its meeting of 27 May 2010.
1. INTRODUCTION The emission
classification of building materials is primarily designed for the
classification of materials used in ordinary residential and work rooms. This
activity is based on the criteria and principles established in the
Classification of Indoor Environment 2008 document, applicable at that time.
Emission classifications are granted by the Building Information Foundation
RTS. Classification work is developed and supervised by Committee Indoor Air
Classification (EPT 24) appointed by the Director General of the Building
Information Foundation RTS. It also promotes building methods aimed at good
indoor climate in other ways. Classification applications and matters relating
to classification decisions are examined by a separate classification working
group elected by the Committee. The workgroup consists of a representative of
the Finnish Society of Indoor Air Quality, a technical expert and the secretary
of the classification workgroup.
2. APPLYING FOR EMISSION CLASSIFICATION
Applications for an emission classification of a building material are
submitted to the Building Information Foundation RTS on an application form
drawn up for this purpose. Applicants should enclose with their application the
product specification, instructions for use, the material safety data sheet and
a research report. The research report must not be more than one (1) year old.
The applicant may, if necessary, be asked to supply supplementary information.
3. THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE APPLICATION
DOCUMENTS The Building Information Foundation RTS treats all documents and
information submitted by applicants in support of their application in
confidence. However, the name of the product and the holder of the
classification will be released and entered in the directory of classifications
referred to in Section 13.
4. RIGHT OF USE OF
CLASSIFICATION LABEL Right of use of a classification label provides the
company which has been granted classification the right to label the classified
product with the label and to use the label for marketing purposes. The company
must use the valid classification symbol, which is a registered trade mark. “The
valid M1 classification symbol.”
5. VALIDITY OF
RIGHT OF USE The period of validity of the right of use of a classification
label is three (3) years. If the composition and method of manufacturing the
product have not changed, the classification can be renewed for another three
(3) years by application without testing provided that the required testing
methods and the criteria set for the products have not been altered
fundamentally. Both new and continuation applications will always be examined
in accordance with the current requirements set for testing methods and the
criteria set for the products.
6. OBLIGATION TO
GIVE NOTICE OF CHANGES TO PRODUCT The holder of right of use is under an
obligation to give the Building Information Foundation RTS prior notice of
changes relating to the methods of manufacturing the product, its composition
etc. if these changes affect the properties on the basis of which the
classification was granted. The quality control of classified products is the
responsibility of the person applying for classification. The material
manufacturer is responsible for using an approved quality control system.
7. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CLASSIFIED PRODUCT
The owner of the classification is solely responsible for guaranteeing that the
product fulfils the requirements concerning it. The Building Material
Foundation RTS is not responsible for the classified products or for the
product properties as reported by the owner of the classification.
8. NOTICE OF TERMINATION OR REVOCATION OF
RIGHT OF USE OF CLASSIFICATION LABEL both the Building Information
Foundation RTS and the owner of the classification can give notice of
terminating the classification and the right of use three (3) months from the
notice. The Building Information Foundation RTS can revoke the classification
and right of use without a period of notice in cases of abuse or if it
transpires that the requirements for granting classification are no longer met.
If the Building Information Foundation RTS has reasonable grounds to suspect
that the product no longer meets the requirements set for it, the owner of the
classification must present new testing results showing that the requirements
are met.
PRODUCT
TESTING
1) Product testing before classification requires the
product to be tested by an approved testing laboratory in accordance with the
required methods.
2) Selection of testing laboratory Sample selection,
analysis and measurements of material emissions must be performed at a
competent and impartial laboratory approved by the classification working
group. A list of approved laboratories can be found on the Internet. The
applicant shall be responsible for documentation.
3) Testing methods
sampling, analysis and measurements of material emissions are to be conducted
as stipulated in the following document: Emission
Classification of Building Materials: Protocol for Chemical and Sensory Testing
of Building Materials
The products are to be tested with regard to the
following characteristics:
• total volatile
organic compounds TVOC
• formaldehyde
HCOH
• ammonia NH3
• carcinogens
• odours.
The research
report must contain the details listed in the sample research report.
