Introduction | Becoming People & Planet Positive | Stakeholder engagement | Sustainability governance | SDG index Healthy & sustainable living - Our circularity agenda - Our climate agenda - Regenerating resources - Fair & equal - IWAY ChemicalsChemicals Our ambition is that all chemicals On track to phase out formaldehyde in Commitment to phase out PFAS without used in or for making IKEA products coatings on paper foils harmful substitutions should be safe throughout their We are on track to eliminate formaldehyde PFAS are a large group of chemicals used in Advocating for better 昀椀re and chemical safety standards whole lifecycle. We advocate for from coating on paper foils in IKEA various industrial and consumer applications policies, strategies and regulations products by mid-2024. All products that that are persistent and, therefore, do not Globally, legislators have adopted di昀昀erent approaches for safer and more sustainable are made from wood-based materials can degrade during use and when spread in the when it comes to product 昀椀re safety for upholstered contain formaldehyde, which is common environment. furniture and mattresses. While the IKEA business chemicals, materials and products. in the natural environment. High levels always aims to refrain from the use of speci昀椀c chemicals in our products, as described in the IKEA of formaldehyde can, however, lead to We recognise the signi昀椀cant health and Read more about the IKEA chemical strategy. environmental concerns about PFAS chemical strategy, we always meet all local market requirements. negative health e昀昀ects. That’s why we chemicals and acknowledge the special will continue our decades-long work to attention needed due to their widespread reduce formaldehyde emissions from all use and persistence in the environment. Existing 昀椀re safety regulations in some markets still demand speci昀椀c testing requirements, such as large IKEA products. We're continuously working The IKEA business is committed to phasing- to lower formaldehyde emissions and open 昀氀ame tests, which can prevent many companies are using a stepwise approach to reach out PFAS while also avoiding any harmful from completely avoiding the use of chemical 昀氀ame substitutions. retardants and hinder the chance to implement formaldehyde emission levels from wood- innovative solutions. based materials that are equal to, or lower The IKEA business has been working to than, levels emitted by natural wood. phase out PFAS in our supply chain since There is growing research and a common 2009. For example, in 2015, we phased- understanding of the hazards that many 昀氀ame out PFAS in textiles. During FY23, we’ve retardants have on people’s health and the Consultation for the USA state of Maine continued the work to identify further uses environment in the long term. Questions remain of PFAS, to add additional restrictions and about the e昀昀ectiveness of these types of chemicals in We continue to engage with regulators phase-out plans. We are prioritising high- preventing 昀椀res over time, the toxicity of the chemicals to provide experience-based feedback volume applications and applications with in 昀椀res, and the implication of these chemicals on through government consultations on the the largest environmental or health impacts. materials for future use. use and declaration of Products Containing That’s why we are working with legislative bodies and As a part of our work to phase out Per昀氀uoroalkyl and Poly昀氀uoroalkyl organisations to advocate for better chemical safety Substances (PFAS) chemicals. In FY23, the PFAS, in 2024 we'll introduce non-stick IKEA business provided feedback to the USA coated cookware that does not use standards when it comes to 昀椀re safety. In FY23, for example, we have contributed to the discussions on the state of Maine in a response to the Chapter polytetra昀氀uoroethylene (PTFE) material. revision of the UK Furniture and Furnishing Fire Safety 90 Rule for PFAS, highlighting the need for From 2025, this will also apply to non-stick Regulations, advocating for a change to the existing coated bakeware. During 2026, all cookware rules so a balance can be found between securing 昀椀re a clearly de昀椀ned, simple reporting process. and bakeware ranges will be non-PTFE. safety, chemical safety and enabling a circular economy. 45 - IKEA SUSTAINABILITY REPORT FY23