VOC-Emission

Automotive suppliers need to validate the compliance of their components to certain OEM specifications for emission behavior prior to their use in the vehicle interior.

All plastic materials (thermoplastics, elastomers, thermosets and composites) can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the ambient air. Depending on their concentration, these VOCs have an influence on the odor perception, well-being or health of people inside the vehicle.

As a result the automotive industry has issued regulations for certain substances and substance classes in the field of vehicle indoor air quality (VIAQ).

The emission behavior is typically analyzed by the following test methods:

• VOC determination
• Odor testing
• Fogging testing

Below is a selection of test procedures, which UL offers.

Test method	Standards
Materials testing: Thermodesorption-GC/MS	VDA 278 ISO 12219-4 ISO 12219-6 VDA 276 PV 3942 GS 97014-3 VW 96043 (PN780)
Materials Testing: Headspace-GC/FID	VDA 277 PV 3341
Emission chamber testing	ISO 12219-4 ISO 12219-6 VDA 276 PV 3942 GS 97014-3 VW 96043 (PN780)
Odor testing	VDA 270 PV 3900 ISO 12219-7 GS 97014-4
Formaldehyde testing	VDA 275 PV 3925
Fogging testing	DIN 75201 PV 3015

Our test methods comply with most international standards and requirements of the Automobile OEMs.