The M1 label is a registered trademark of the Rakennustietosäätiö RTS sr., which may only be used in the marketing of a product if the product has a valid M1 Classification granted by Rakennustieto.
The M1 Classification is granted for three (3) years at a time. During this period, the company has the right to mark the classified product with the classification label and use it in the marketing of the product. The M1 label can only be used by the company who has applied for the M1 Classification. A company can only use the M1 label for their M1-classified products, and the classification label cannot refer to the company as a whole. More detailed instructions on the use of the classification label are given in the general rules of the Emission Classification.
All M1-classified products are published in Rakennustieto’s M1 database, where products can be searched either by company or product name and according to the Talo 2000 classification. If a product cannot be found in the database, it is either not classified or the classification has expired. Each M1-classified product also has a classification certificate which may be distributed by the classification holder.
Information about a product’s M1 Classification can also be provided in the Rakennustieto Tuotetieto database as part of the general product data. If the contractor uses the Tuotetieto management service, the M1 Classification information will also be transferred to the contract documentation.
The M1 Emission Classification and the validity of the right to use the classification label is three (3) years from the date of granting the classification. If the composition and manufacturing process of the product have remained unchanged during the first classification period, one 3-year continuation of the product's classification can be applied for without further testing. After the product has been classified for six (3+3) years, the product must be tested again.
The validity of the continuation and renewal periods of the classification continues from where the previous classification period ends. I.e., the applicant does not lose out by applying for a continuation or renewal of the classification before the end of the classification period, nor wins anything by applying for an extension late. Continuation and renewal applications can be submitted six (6) months before the classification expires.
The M1 Classification does not include annual fees or audits. The classification fee is the same regardless of the type of application (new, continuation or renewal application).
The quality control and assurance of the classified product shall be the responsibility of the classification holder. The quality of classified products is monitored annually by Rakennustieto Oy through a spot check procedure. A product whose random check results do not meet the M1 criteria will be removed from the M1 database and the right to use the classification label is revoked. In case of misconduct or if it turns out that the requirements for granting the classification are no longer met, Rakennustieto Oy may revoke the M1 Classification.
The classification holder is obligated to notify Rakennustieto in advance any changes concerning the manufacturing methods, composition, or other properties of the product, if the changes may have an impact on the emissions of the product. Based on the notification, the classification committee assesses the need for retesting of the product or product group.
The manufacturer also has the responsibility to provide adequate instructions for the use and maintenance of the product:
M1-classified product is low-emitting only when properly stored, installed, and used. Low-emitting material can become high-emitting, if for example, the product is stored in humid conditions, incompatible products are used, maintenance of the product is neglected, or wrong cleaning methods are used. For this reason, it is important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions when storing, installing, and using building materials. Products should only be used in their intended applications and conditions.