Overview
ISO 5684:2025 - Adhesives - Floor covering adhesives and products for flooring installation - Assessment and classification of low volatile organic compound (VOC) products - specifies a reference method to measure VOC emissions from floor-covering adhesives and related flooring installation products. The standard uses an indoor test-chamber method with analytical follow-up (GC‑MS and HPLC) to determine volatile organic compounds (VOC), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) and volatile aldehydes. Results are used to derive emission classes (expressed as toluene equivalents) for the product’s use phase and for classification as low‑VOC flooring adhesives.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test method basis: Ventilated test chamber method, aligned with ISO 16000‑9 and supplemented by requirements from EN 16516+A1:2020.
- Analytes: VOCs, SVOCs and volatile aldehydes (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde); analysis by GC‑MS (and thermal desorption) and HPLC where applicable.
- Chamber conditions: Controlled climate and ventilation representative of a reference room. Standard chamber volume >100 L (smaller chambers ≥20 L allowed with adjusted loading and air exchange).
- Test duration and sampling: 28‑day test period with air sampling at day 3 and day 28. Test specimens remain in the chamber for the whole period.
- Reference scenario & loading factor: Emissions are expressed for the reference room and loading conditions defined in EN 16516 (flooring scenario loading factor applicable).
- Sample handling: Sampling, transport, storage and specimen preparation follow ISO 16000‑11 and EN 16516 requirements. Time limits: solid products tested within 8 weeks of production; wet products in closed containers tested within 4 months.
- Reporting & expression of results: Emissions reported as concentrations in the reference room and classified by TVOC/TSVOC metrics and toluene‑equivalent classes per the standard’s reporting rules.
Applications and users
ISO 5684:2025 is intended for:
- Manufacturers of flooring adhesives and installation products seeking product classification for low‑VOC performance.
- Independent testing laboratories performing emissions testing and certification.
- Specifiers, architects and building contractors selecting low‑emission adhesives to meet indoor air quality requirements.
- Green building programs, procurement bodies and regulators requiring harmonized emission data for compliance, labeling and sustainability criteria.
Practical uses include pre‑market product testing, product selection for healthy indoor environments, documentation for product declarations, and support for green building certification.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 5684:2025, floor covering adhesives, VOC emissions, low VOC, test chamber, GC‑MS, HPLC, indoor air quality, EN 16516.