SCS No Added Urea Fortmaledehyde
SCS Global Services
Certified wood with no added harmful chemicals.
Key Strengths
- Recognized pathway to demonstrate NAUF compliance for green building standards like LEED
- Backed by SCS Global Services, a well-established third-party certification body
- Supports healthier indoor air quality by eliminating urea-formaldehyde from adhesives and resins
- Helps manufacturers meet or exceed California CARB Phase 2 formaldehyde emission standards
- Provides market differentiation for wood product manufacturers in health-conscious segments
- Enables use of certified claims on product labeling and marketing materials
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for manufacturers of wood-based building products such as plywood, particleboard, MDF, and engineered wood who want to demonstrate their commitment to healthier indoor air quality. It is particularly valuable for companies supplying materials to green building projects, LEED-certified buildings, or health-conscious commercial and residential construction markets. Manufacturers seeking to differentiate their products in markets with strict formaldehyde regulations (e.g., California CARB Phase 2) will find this certification especially relevant.
Target Audiences
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Overview
The SCS No Added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF) Certification ensures that building products have low or no formaldehyde emissions, promoting healthier indoor air quality. This certification is part of SCS Global Services' broader sustainability standards.
It emerged as formaldehyde, a chemical used in adhesives and resins, was identified to have health risks, including respiratory issues and cancer. The NAUF certification sets stringent guidelines for manufacturers, requiring them to avoid or limit urea-formaldehyde in their products.
Key statistics show that buildings with certified NAUF products report significant reductions in harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Noteworthy manufacturers like Columbia Forest Products, a leading supplier of hardwood plywood, and Uniboard, a producer of particleboard, are certified under this program. These companies demonstrate their commitment to environmental health by replacing traditional adhesives with safer alternatives.
Overall, the NAUF Certification helps consumers and builders choose safer, more sustainable building materials, contributing to healthier living and work environments.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Manufacturers must submit documentation demonstrating that urea-formaldehyde is not used in adhesives, resins, or binders in their products. This typically includes formulation records, supplier declarations, and chain-of-custody documentation. On-site audits by SCS-accredited auditors verify manufacturing processes and raw material sourcing. Ongoing testing of finished products for formaldehyde emissions may also be required to confirm compliance.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
Certification is awarded through a third-party audit process conducted by SCS Global Services auditors. Auditors review manufacturing documentation, raw material supplier declarations, and product formulation records to verify that no urea-formaldehyde is added. An on-site facility inspection is typically conducted to verify process controls and raw material handling. The audit evaluates compliance with SCS NAUF standard requirements, and a certification decision is made following successful review of all documentation and site findings.
Renewal & Compliance
Certification requires periodic surveillance audits and renewal to maintain active status. Manufacturers must continue to demonstrate that no urea-formaldehyde is added to their products and must notify SCS of any changes to formulations, raw material suppliers, or manufacturing processes. Annual or periodic fees apply for continued certification.
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Consider Alternatives If...
If your products do not contain wood-based composite panels or adhesives where urea-formaldehyde is a concern, this certification may not be applicable. Companies primarily seeking a broad sustainability credential rather than a specific chemical-avoidance claim should consider more comprehensive product certifications instead.
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SCS Global ServicesLast verified Mar 10, 2026