ISO 18560-1:2014

Overview

ISO 18560-1:2014 - Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics) - Test method for air‑purification performance of semiconducting photocatalytic materials by test chamber method under indoor lighting environment - Part 1: Removal of formaldehyde

This standard specifies a controlled test chamber method to evaluate the ability of indoor‑light‑active photocatalytic materials (typically semiconducting metal oxides such as titanium dioxide or ceramic films/coatings) to remove formaldehyde (HCHO) under simulated indoor lighting. It is intended for building materials (boards, wallpapers, coated surfaces) and provides a direct index of expected improvement in indoor air quality. The method excludes powders/granular materials and is not intended for other photocatalytic functions (self‑cleaning, antibacterial, water treatment).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: continuous exposure of a specimen to air spiked with formaldehyde under indoor light illumination and measurement of formaldehyde concentration at the chamber outlet.
• Test chamber and apparatus: requirements for chamber design, air mixing, air change rate, flow meters, sampling ports, and sealing of specimens.
• Light source: use of indoor‑lighting simulation with UV sharp cut‑off filters to reflect real indoor illumination (reference ISO 14605).
• Environmental control: monitoring and control of temperature, humidity, and supply‑air formaldehyde concentration.
• Sampling and analysis: active sampling and analytical determination of formaldehyde (aligned with ISO 16000‑3 and related methods).
• Performance metrics and calculations: definitions and use of product loading factor, air change rate, mass transfer coefficient, recovery, and equivalent ventilation rate per area to quantify removal efficiency.
• Baseline and verification: dark‑condition testing (no illumination) for baseline, verification of chamber airtightness, mixing efficiency, and method recovery.
• Scope limits: Not suitable for powders/granular materials and not designed to assess non‑air purification attributes.

Practical applications and users

• Manufacturers of building materials, paints, wallpapers and photocatalytic coatings evaluating product claims for indoor formaldehyde removal.
• Accredited test laboratories conducting certification, performance verification, or R&D.
• Indoor air quality consultants, architects, specifiers and building owners assessing material contributions to ventilation equivalence and compliance with indoor air guidelines.
• Researchers comparing indoor‑active photocatalysts and correlating UV‑based methods (e.g., ISO 22197‑4) with indoor lighting performance.

Related standards

• ISO 16000 series (formaldehyde and VOC sampling/analysis)
• ISO 14605 (light source for indoor photocatalytic testing)
• ISO 22197‑4 (formaldehyde removal under UV irradiation) - approximate correlation with ISO 18560‑1 results is noted.

Keywords: ISO 18560-1:2014, fine ceramics, photocatalytic materials, indoor-light-active, formaldehyde removal, test chamber method, indoor air quality, titanium dioxide, product loading factor, equivalent ventilation rate.