Interior Emissions

Vehicle interior air quality is critical for car manufacturers and occupants.

Changes in temperature can cause trim materials such as plastics, polymers, foams and textiles to release substances that may affect the health and safety of drivers and passengers. As a result, vehicles must meet various ISO and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards and regulations.

SGS interior emissions tests can be carried out on materials, parts and whole vehicles. We offer testing for:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC)
Formaldehyde
Fogging
Odor/smell

VOC and SVOC Testing

VOC and SVOC can have a direct effect on the health and safety of drivers and passengers. As a result, strict regulations and standards have been set to qualify and quantify their presence in materials, parts or in the vehicle itself.

Our test chambers range in size from micro to one that is large enough to fit an entire vehicle plus preparation room. This capacity means we can test all makes, models, materials and parts against different standards and specifications.

We offer individual analysis of Formaldehyde content, as well as Residual Monomer Determination, 4-tert-Butylbenzoic acid, Total Carbon and Thermodesorption.

Fogging Tests

Fogging tests determine the quantity of volatile products released by materials in the passenger compartment under high temperature. The ‘fogging’ is the condensation on the inside of the windscreen. The test includes:

Gloss measurement of the condensation
Weighing the condensation
Transparency measurement (or haze) of the fogging

Odor/Smell Tests

This sensory assessment is carried out by a trained qualified tester and covers two areas:

Odor intensity
Odor identification

These assessments can be carried out on materials or parts, using vials or bags.

All interior emissions tests are conducted in accordance with ISO and OEM standards.

Why choose SGS’s automotive testing services?

ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and approved to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards for a complete package of interior emissions tests. Wherever you are located, SGS can help you test your vehicle interior emissions to the required standards.