The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has no current plans to produce sector specific guidance on formaldehyde in NHS workplaces. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) (COSHH) (as amended) is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, including formaldehyde. The accompanying Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance to these regulations gives practical advice on how to comply with the law.

Under COSHH, it is the responsibility of each NHS employer to assess the risk from their work activities involving formaldehyde and to ensure that the exposure of their employees to this hazardous substance is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled. Where it is not reasonably practicable, it is for the NHS employer to put in place and maintain the protection measures that adequately control the risk from exposure in accordance with the requirements of COSHH. Where controls are in place employers have a duty to ensure they are maintained so that they remain effective and protect workers.

Where HSE receives intelligence suggesting employers are not controlling risks, HSE responds in a proportionate way, which may include inspections or enforcement action if employers are not complying with legal requirements.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) (COSHH) (as amended) is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, including formaldehyde.

Under COSHH, it is the responsibility of each employer to assess the risk from their work activities involving formaldehyde and to ensure that the exposure of their employees to this hazardous substance is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

Where workers or members of the public have serious concerns regarding the compliance of individual employers with these regulations, these can be raised with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) where concerns are triaged, and appropriate action taken to ensure employers are adequately controlling the risks from working with formaldehyde.

HSE is also working with stakeholder groups to remind employers of their duty to protect their employees from the risks associated with working with formaldehyde.

As set out in the policy paper the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, published in January 2025, we are reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs) with the aim of maintaining a high level of fire safety while facilitating a reduction in chemical flame retardant use. We will provide a further update in due course.

The FFRs do not mandate the use of chemical flame retardants. Any chemicals used in the manufacture of furniture placed on the UK market, including to meet the FFRs’ flammability requirements, must comply with all relevant UK chemicals legislation.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) (COSHH) (as amended) is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, including formaldehyde.

Under COSHH, it is the responsibility of each NHS employer to assess the risk from their work activities involving formaldehyde and to ensure that the exposure of their employees to this hazardous substance is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, and the end of the Transition Period (TP), the UK is no longer involved in the EU limit-setting regime.

The EU’s revised binding occupational exposure limit for Formaldehyde had an implementation date of 11 July 2021, with an extended transition period to 11 July 2024 for the healthcare, funeral, and embalming sector in the UK.

As the date of implementation falls after the end of the Transition Period, there is no legal obligation for the UK to align with the revised EU limits, and this includes the revised limit for Formaldehyde. The current Great Britain (GB) Workplace Exposure Limit for Formaldehyde remains 2ppm, which is the previously agreed limit. However, the Health and Safety Executive is currently considering a long-term delivery model for setting workplace exposure limits in GB ensuring any limits introduced will be achievable, feasible and protective of health.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is responsible for developing a system for Northern Ireland.

There is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place in GB to protect workers from health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace through the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Under COSHH, exposure to carcinogens, (as well as mutagens and asthmagens) should be reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable.

The flu vaccines being offered for the 2020/21 flu season do not include formaldehyde as an ingredient.

Formaldehyde is used during the manufacturing process of some inactivated flu vaccines. It is used to kill or inactivate the flu virus so it is possible that residual traces of it may remain in some flu vaccines.

Formaldehyde is not used in the production of the following vaccines currently used in the United Kingdom Influenza Immunisation Programme; the live attenuated influenza vaccine Fluenz Tetra used in the children’s flu programme and the cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc), Flucelvax Tetra.

The EU has recently reviewed the occupational exposure limit value for formaldehyde, and in the Phase 3 amendment to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive 2004/37/EC, introduced a new binding occupational exposure limit value (BOELV) of 0.3ppm, which came into force on 11 July 2019. The current GB work place exposure limit (WEL) is 2ppm.

Member States have two years to transpose the new BOELV (i.e. by 11 July 2021). Because of differences in cultural practices; cost of embalming and greater capacity in the facilities available; and the limited use of embalming in other Members States, the UK negotiated an additional 3-year transitional period (until July 2024) for the funeral and embalming sector, during which time an interim BOELV of 0.5ppm will apply. This is to allow the UK funeral and embalming sector to comply with the Directive without incurring disproportionate costs.

The Health and Safety Executive is currently working to implement the revised exposure limits for formaldehyde.

The EU has recently reviewed the occupational exposure limit value for formaldehyde, and in the Phase 3 amendment to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive 2004/37/EC, introduced a new binding occupational exposure limit value (BOELV) of 0.3ppm, which came into force on 11 July 2019. The current GB work place exposure limit (WEL) is 2ppm.

Member States have two years to transpose the new BOELV (i.e. by 11 July 2021). Because of differences in cultural practices; cost of embalming and greater capacity in the facilities available; and the limited use of embalming in other Members States, the UK negotiated an additional 3-year transitional period (until July 2024) for the funeral and embalming sector, during which time an interim BOELV of 0.5ppm will apply. This is to allow the UK funeral and embalming sector to comply with the Directive without incurring disproportionate costs.

The Health and Safety Executive is currently working to implement the revised exposure limits for formaldehyde.

Under the Construction Products Regulation, MDF manufactured in Europe must be labelled to European standards ‘E1’ or ‘E2’. 95% of EU companies comply voluntarily with the ‘E1’ standard, meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Proposals for a restriction to control formaldehyde releases from articles (which would include wood-based panels) are being considered under the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regime. The European Chemicals Agency is expected to produce its opinion on the proposal around 20 March 2020, though the subsequent adoption of a legislative decision will be dependent on the outcome of further discussions.

In a no deal exit from the EU, all existing EU restrictions will continue in the UK. A UK REACH system would retain the process for restricting a chemical.

Under the Construction Products Regulation, MDF manufactured in Europe must be labelled to European standards ‘E1’ or ‘E2’. 95% of EU companies comply voluntarily with the ‘E1’ standard, meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Proposals for a restriction to control formaldehyde releases from articles (which would include wood-based panels) are being considered under the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regime. The European Chemicals Agency is expected to produce its opinion on the proposal around 20 March 2020, though the subsequent adoption of a legislative decision will be dependent on the outcome of further discussions.

In a no deal exit from the EU, all existing EU restrictions will continue in the UK. A UK REACH system would retain the process for restricting a chemical.

The supply of the substance formaldehyde to consumers is banned. However, it is not restricted in articles such as MDF panels. Under the Construction Products Regulation, MDF manufactured in Europe must be labelled to European standards ‘E1’ or ‘E2’. 95% of EU companies comply voluntarily with the ‘E1’ standard, meeting World Health Organisation guidelines.

There is a ban on the sale of the substance formaldehyde and its sale in mixtures when present at or over 0.1% (by weight). In addition, the use of formaldehyde will be further restricted in 2023.

Proposals for a further legal restriction to control formaldehyde releases from articles (which would include wood-based panels) are being considered under REACH. Currently, there is a voluntary agreement to produce wooden panels within these exposure levels and over 95% of EU companies are compliant.

Local authority trading standards departments are responsible for consumer protection issues under REACH; this includes decisions on funding and prioritisation. The Government has not specifically assessed the effectiveness of this regime in relation to products containing formaldehyde.

Six sites in the UK are engaged in the manufacture of particleboard and fibreboard. These sites are all currently compliant with the formaldehyde release limits set out in current published UK guidance. Following the publication in November 2015 of new EU guidance and emission limits under the EU Industrial Emission Directive, UK regulators are currently working with industry to ensure that their environmental permits are all reviewed and updated by the implementation deadline of 20 November 2019.

Keeping consumers safe is a priority for this Government. Furniture is regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. This requires it to be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use before it can be placed on the UK market. Manufacturers are required to monitor their products on the market and to take action if they become aware that a product is unsafe. Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to take action against any unsafe goods including removing them from the market.

The Department has not made any such assessment. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have responsibility for the regulatory framework for the control of chemicals.

The Department has not made any such assessment. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have responsibility for the regulatory framework for the control of chemicals.

The National Health Service has made no such assessment.

The NHS has to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). This applies in the workplace when hazardous substances are manufactured, used or where processes are undertaken that generate hazardous substances. COSHH requires the employer to carry out a risk assessment to establish what, if any, hazards are associated with products/processes employees are using/undertaking and then put measures in place to control exposure to those hazards.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the regulation of workplace health and safety in the UK, and it is the legal duty of those who create risks through work activities to understand those risks and ensure they are adequately controlled. This includes ensuring that duty holders/employers identify and obtain relevant information on the hazardous properties of the substances or materials they use or manufacture.

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals Regulation (REACH) requires those who place chemicals such as formaldehyde on the market to provide information on the hazards associated with the chemical both up and down the supply chain. This includes the provision of Safety Data Sheets which must accompany chemicals through the supply chain, providing the information users need to ensure that chemicals are safely used and managed.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) also applies in the workplace when hazardous substances, such as formaldehyde, are manufactured, used, or where processes are undertaken that generate hazardous substances. COSHH requires the employer to carry out a risk assessment to establish what, if any, risks to health are associated with the products/processes their employees are using/undertaking and then to put in place measures to eliminate or control exposure to those risks.