Overview
EN ISO 10580:2012 (ISO 10580:2010) specifies a laboratory test method for determining the area-specific emission rate and/or vapour-phase concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings. The standard describes the use and characteristics of emission test chambers and gives guidance on sampling, specimen preparation, test conditions, air sampling and analysis. It is published by CEN as EN ISO 10580:2012 and adopted from ISO 10580:2010.
Key topics and requirements
- Emission test chambers: general description and essential features for reliable VOC measurement (see informative Annex A).
- Sampling, transport and storage: procedures for collecting representative product samples and preserving their VOC profile prior to testing.
- Specimen preparation: instructions for preparing test specimens from rolls, tiles or planks to reflect product use and homogeneity.
- Test conditions: defined climate parameters (temperature, relative humidity), air change rate, loading factor and air velocity that influence emission rates.
- Air quality and background checks: supply-air purity, chamber airtightness and background concentration measurement before and during tests.
- Air sampling and analysis: methods for VOCs, and formaldehyde/carbonyl compounds (referenced ISO methods used for active sampling, thermal desorption, GC/MS or DNPH sampling).
- Data calculation and reporting: conversion of chamber concentrations into area-specific emission rates and recommended test-report contents.
- Performance and evaluation: criteria for chamber performance, sink/recovery effects and evaluation systems (Annex B compares European and North American approaches).
Practical applications
- Product testing for indoor air quality performance and low-emitting materials.
- Supporting product development and reformulation to reduce VOC emissions.
- Verification for ecolabels, voluntary certification schemes and supplier declarations.
- Basis for building product selection by architects, specifiers, procurement teams and indoor-environment consultants.
- Use by accredited testing laboratories and manufacturers to generate comparable emission data for market and regulatory needs.
Who uses this standard
- Flooring manufacturers (resilient, textile, laminate)
- Third-party testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Regulatory authorities and standards committees
- Indoor air quality consultants, architects and facility managers
Related standards
Normative references include parts of the ISO 16000 series and related methods:
- ISO 16000-3, -6, -9, -11 and ISO 16017-1.
Note: ISO 10580 offers an alternative laboratory method and does not replace mandatory legislative test methods in jurisdictions where specific regulations apply.
Keywords: ISO 10580, EN ISO 10580:2012, VOC emissions, floor coverings, emission test chamber, area‑specific emission rate, indoor air quality.