VW 50180 Components, Semi-Finished Products and Materials in Vehicle Interiors - Emissions Behavior

The standard “VW 50180 Components, semi-finished products and materials in the vehicle interior - Emission behavior” developed by the Volkswagen automobile company describes the assessment criteria for the use of low-emission components, semi-finished products and materials in the vehicle interior and luggage compartment, as well as for parts in contact with the air flowing into the vehicle.

This standard includes all components, semi-finished products and materials installed in the passenger compartment or luggage compartment, starting from the vehicle interior, metal cladding.

In general, two different standards are used in the Volkswagen Group. Namely,

• When using parts exclusively for Porsche AG, the VW 96043 standard must be followed, the VW 50180 standard does not apply.
• When using parts handed over to the Volkswagen Group / Porsche AG, the VW 50180 standard must be followed.
• For others, the VW 50180 standard must be followed.

The basic requirements in this standard are described as follows:

• For initial supply approval and changes, the VW 01155 standard must be followed.
• The VW 91101 standard must be followed to avoid hazardous substances.
• All materials used for new developments must meet minimum requirements. Failure of emission values ​​to meet requirements is sufficient reason to reject the sample.
• Fulfillment of the requirements must be confirmed during the initial sample examination by results from a laboratory authorised by the Volkswagen Group to perform the relevant test.
• If new materials or component designs are used, fulfilment of the requirements must be verified by building sample approval with results from a laboratory authorised by the Volkswagen Group to perform the relevant testing.
• Test laboratories can gain qualification by successfully participating in the emission cyclic test regularly conducted by the relevant materials engineering unit.
• If there is evidence of incorrect assessment/measurement by a qualified laboratory (at least 3 cases), the sequential testing officer may order the affected laboratory to requalify or revoke its qualification.

The requirements in this standard are described as follows:

• The following limits are the minimum requirements that must be met by components, semi-finished products and materials according to section 1.
• The requirements for components, semi-finished products and materials in the vehicle interior, luggage compartment and air-conducting parts used in Volkswagen Group vehicles are specified in Tables 2 to 5 of this standard.
• In particular, the substance restrictions according to section 7 must be observed.
• Deviations from the requirements specified in Tables 2 to 5 are permitted only in exceptional and justified cases with the written approval of the relevant materials engineer.

The test methods to be used are:

• Condensable components according to PV 3015 standard test specification
• Emissions of organic compounds according to the PV 3341 standard
• Odor test according to PV 3900 standard (only variants A2, A3, B2, B3, C2 and C3)
• Formaldehyde content according to PV 3925 standard
• DUT (device under test) chamber method according to PV 3942 standard

The requirements regarding emission behavior apply to all components subject to this standard, regardless of their size or weight. Verification by means of measurement reports shall be carried out in the following cases:

• The weight of a component or assembly is greater than 20 g.
• For dyed components, the weight of a component is more than 5 g.
• For components made of POM, the weight for individual parts is more than 5 g (PV 3925 standard only).

For external parts that come into contact with the vehicle interior, for example a trunk lid (made of polymer materials), the limits for the relevant material listed in the table are doubled for tests according to standards PV 3015, PV 3341 and PV 3925. The test limits according to standard PV 3900 remain the same.

The transportation, packaging and storage of samples designated for emission testing should be designed to prevent cross-contamination. Ideally, samples are packaged in emission-inhibiting aluminum composite film (see Figure 24) immediately after production and then stored in an emission-free environment for XNUMX hours. If samples that do not meet this ideal need to be examined (e.g. from stock), they should be packaged immediately after collection. In such cases, the maximum age at the time of packaging should not exceed four weeks.

For samples requiring a secondary reaction time after production, for example subsequent crosslinking of foams or paints, this time may be before packaging in aluminium composite film. However, this time shall not exceed 23 days at 3 degrees plus/minus 7 degrees. Acceleration of secondary reaction / ageing by increased temperature is not permitted in samples for odour or emission tests. The secondary reaction time shall be documented in the test report / sample description.

Packaged samples should be measured within three months. Samples should be removed from the bag 7 plus/minus 1 day before testing and stored at a maximum of 25 degrees and 50 percent plus/minus 15 percent relative humidity. Rolled products should be opened and the outer layer discarded.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the "VW 50180 Vehicle interior components, semi-finished products and materials - Emission behavior" standard are also provided to businesses.