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Most of us spend the majority of our lives indoors—at home, work, or social spaces like cafes and cinemas. While we often seek fresh air outside, how often do we think about the air quality within our own spaces? The truth is, the materials used in construction and renovation have a direct impact on our health, often in ways we don’t immediately realize.

When we think about good indoor air quality, we think about designing cross-ventilation and having air purifiers. However, what we tend to ignore is that some of the construction materials used may not be as health-conscious (for example, the rampant use of carcinogenic asbestos-based construction materials, until the ban in the late 1990s).

With advancements in research and technology, we now understand the long-term health risks of indoor air pollutants—and have a responsibility to make better choices. Recognizing this, the Singapore government has taken action: starting January 1, 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will ban formaldehyde in indoor-use paints to improve indoor air quality. (Source : National Environment Agency Singapore)

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The knowledge that our construction materials affect indoor air quality more than we expected, in addition to the requirement by the Singapore government, is creating a ripple effect. Construction materials and interior finishes companies start advocating their products to be low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, a form of formaldehyde).

One of these companies is the plywood suppliers for carpentry work. Plywood is one of our primary sources of base material used indoors. Hence, understanding the base material used is as important as the finishes (laminate, veneer, or paint). The most common use of plywood is in the carpentry work such as tables, cabinets, wardrobes, etc.  

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Grades of Plywood according to their Formaldehyde Emission

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When we talk about low formaldehyde plywood, the most commonly used benchmark in the market is Europe standards implemented since 1985. This standard is referred to as Grade E0-E4 Plywood. As shown in the table above, the higher the grade (ascending numerically), the higher the formaldehyde emission is.

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Grade E0 has the least amount of formaldehyde emission (≤ 0.5mg/l, currently world's top standard), followed by Grade E1 (≤ 1.5mg/l, widely used indoor by Europe market), and then by Grade E2 onwards (≤ 5.0mg/l or more, widely used in our market domestically).

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Choosing low-formaldehyde plywood is essential—not just for comfort, but for health. Formaldehyde exposure can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, throat, and respiratory system, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a human carcinogen.

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In Singapore, up to the time when this blogpost is written, the government has not imposed a strict regulation on the formaldehyde content for wood based products. While specific thresholds may not be mandated, Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) does recognize low-VOC materials under Green Label Certification. Hence, while some suppliers voluntarily adhere to low-formaldehyde plywood standards, because there is no strict regulation yet,  it is not surprising that it is very common to hear about the harmful level of formaldehyde emission in recently renovated indoor space. 

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On the other hand, the consideration of using different grades of plywood comes not only from health concerns, but also from a technical point of view. The main culprit of the formaldehyde emission is the adhesive and chemical used to bond the plywood together. Hence, grade E0 plywood will use a different adhesive and chemical compared to grade E1 plywood. Additionally, the tensile and compression strength of E0 plywood can vary compared to E1 plywood, depending on its bonding composition.

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At Loren Ng Designs, we believe that great design should never come at the expense of health. Our spaces should nurture us, not expose us to harmful materials. That’s why we prioritize sustainable, low-formaldehyde materials such as using grade E0 plywood whenever possible—especially in bedrooms and living areas, where we spend the most time.

As technology advances, we no longer have to choose between aesthetics and well-being—we can have both.

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Our goal is to create interiors that are not only beautiful, functional, but also truly safe for the people who live in them.

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