Cookie consent(s)
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze traffic. This is done only with your explicit consent. By clicking "ACCEPT ALL," you agree to the processing and sharing of your data with our partners for social media, advertising, and analytics, including in third countries in accordance with Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR and Art. 17(1)(a) FADP (Switzerland). There is a risk that your data may be monitored by authorities without legal recourse. You can change or revoke your consents at any time in the data privacy settings .
Data protection declaration | Legal notices
Settings
Jubilee Signet

DEKRA laboratory tests motor home interiors and components

Testing for Harmful Substances Ensures RV Safety

Jul 16, 2025 Industrial / Digital & Product Solutions

Time and again, manufacturers and dealers are unsettled by questions about harmful substances in motor homes. Experts from the DEKRA Laboratory for Environmental and Product Analysis advise manufacturers to have the interiors of motor homes – and possibly also the components and materials used – tested before their sale to demonstrate their safety.

As Germany’s largest testing organization, DEKRA has extensive experience of measuring harmful substances in the interiors of vehicles and homes – and thus also in motor homes. The relevant standards for the laboratory testing of recreational vehicles (RVs) are found in the ISO 16000 series, especially DIN ISO 16000-3 and DIN ISO 16000-6. They cover the analysis of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds such as acetone, as well as the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
In regulatory terms, motor homes represent a special case when it comes to the presence of harmful substances in the interior because no direct threshold values have been specified. Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has issued a range of guideline values that is subject to ongoing expansion and modification to reflect the available scientific data. However, these values were originally used to assess indoor air quality. The Association of Ecological Research (AGÖF) published a list of guidance values for assessing whether any general anomalies exist.
DEKRA’s laboratory experts draw attention to the fact that neither the UBA guideline values nor the AGÖF guidance values are legally binding. However, the German courts consider the UBA guideline values to be scientifically proven; they can therefore be consulted if necessary.
If the UBA guideline values are exceeded or there are significant deviations from the AGÖF guidance values, DEKRA recommends examining the emissions of the materials and components used in RVs to identify any potential sources. For example, it is known that formaldehyde may be released from many wood-based materials and some plastics. Process materials like adhesives, sealants, and coatings are typical sources of various VOC’s.
On behalf of suppliers and OEM’s, DEKRA’s experts use test chambers to measure emissions at the component assembly level. Stringent quality standards apply. In addition, it is possible to directly test organic emissions of individual components and materials (for example, in accordance with VDA 278). Moreover, manufacturer-specific threshold values have been defined for this test procedure. The DEKRA laboratory also has the capability to perform odor testing of the components and materials used in vehicle interiors.
Specialist contact
DEKRA Laboratory for Environmental and Product Analysis
Clemens Schober
Phone: +49 (0)711.7861-4171
E-mail: clemens​.schober@​dekra​.com
Download
Show all press releases