How to apply for M1 Classification

Products that have very similar physical and chemical properties and applications can be considered as a product group. Product grouping should be done prior to testing and applying for the M1 Classification. Product groups are formed by the Building Information’s classification working group based on detailed information about the products chemical and physical characteristics provided by the manufacturer. Suggestions from the manufacturer are taken in consideration when forming product groups. TDS and SDS documents alone do not provide enough information for product grouping. All information regarding product formulation and product grouping is handled confidentially.

Please note that product grouping application processed prior to testing phase does not eliminate the need to submit a classification application after successful testing, this applies to both new and renewal applications.

If you wish to form a new product group, please apply for the product grouping by filling in the M1 application form. Select “Product grouping application” and attach the following documentation to the application:

• product grouping spreadsheet (e.g. an Excel file; templates are available) which includes detailed chemical and technical product information regarding the entire proposed product group
• technical data sheets for each product in the group
• safety data sheets (if applicable) for each product in the group

More information and templates for product grouping can be enquired from the Product Manager for the M1 Classification (contact details). When forming a product group, the working group also selects product(s) that should be tested as the group representative. This eliminates the need to test all products in the group in order to achieve the M1 Classification.

Please note that product groups in need of retesting for renewal of the M1 Classification need to be re-evaluated by the classification working group prior to testing. In this re-evaluation the working group decides which product(s) shall be tested as group representative. During the re-evaluation process manufacturer can also propose changes (additions or removals) to the product group. For instructions how to submit a product group for re-evaluation, please see section Renewal application below.

Products can be added or removed from a product group at any point during the classification period. All additions to product groups are applied using the online form with the following documentation:

• updated product grouping spreadsheet (including details of products both already in the group and those to be added)
• technical product details (e.g. technical data sheets)
• safety data sheets or material safety data sheets (if applicable)
• product information (for multiple products an import Excel downloadable from the form after selecting ‘Multiple products’ is used)
• manufacturer’s signed and dated declaration of equivalence of materials (chemicals) and manufacturing process of new product names compared to the ones already in the product group (this document shall include all relevant product names and company details)
• test report used in the original classification application

M1 Classification cannot be granted without an application sent to Building Information. Applications are evaluated by the classification working group. The working group is appointed by The Building Information Foundation RTS sr and it consists of impartial experts.

As we process a lot of applications, please submit your application in good time before the meeting date, at least four (4) working days prior to the meeting. All classification applications must be submitted using the online application form, as processing of applications sent via email or post cannot be guaranteed. All information provided by the applicant is handled confidentially.

Meetings of the classification working group are held once a month (excluding holidays) and the upcoming meeting dates can be found here. Working group’s decisions and classification documents for approved applications will be delivered to the email address given on the application within two (2) weeks of the meeting.

By submitting an application the applicant agrees to pay Building Information Ltd the classification fee for the Emission Classification and any other fees related to the granting of the classification. Please find the current list of fees here.

It is possible to include an additional voluntary limit value examination as part of the M1 Classification (e.g. to verify compliance with the indoor air emission criteria of the EU taxonomy, BREEAM or SINTEF). The limit value examination has two scopes depending on the intended use(s):

1. formaldehyde emission < 60 µg/m³ and emission of carcinogenic substances < 1 µg/m³
2. formaldehyde emission < 60 µg/m³, emission of carcinogenic substances < 1 µg/m³, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) < 300 µg/m³

The limit value examination is an additional product developed to help manufacturers with increasing documentation demands and is not in any way mandatory. Please indicate which scope you are interested in when submitting your order.

Conditions for the limit value examination are:

• the product or product group must be M1-classified
• suitable test report must be available for examination

In principle, all new emission tests carried out according to the M1 test protocol as well as tests already done for M1-classified products can be utilized for the limit value examination. Limit value examination can be ordered as part of the normal classification process (i.e. when proposing changes to an existing classification or when applying for a new classification or continuation/renewal for an existing classification) as well as during ongoing classification period. The limit value examination is added to the product’s or product group’s M1 Classification certificate and is only available in Finnish and English.

When limit value examination is done as part of the normal classification process, the order is placed using the application form. If you are looking to add the limit value examination to an existing classification during ongoing classification period without any changes to the original classification, please email m1(at)rakennustieto.fi and provide the following information:

• the classification decision to which you wish to include the limit value examination
• the scope and language version(s) of the examination (please see options above)
• test report(s)
• invoicing details