M1 Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products has helped Finns to achieve fresh incoming air for more than 20 years. The M1 Cleanliness Classification, introduced in 2001, was created to promote the development and use of clean and odourless ventilation products.
M1 Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products has helped Finns to achieve fresh incoming air for more than 20 years. The M1 Cleanliness Classification, introduced in 2001, was created to promote the development and use of clean and odourless ventilation products.
A good indoor environment requires consideration of indoor air issues in all stages of planning, construction and use. Part of this process is clean ventilation products that help achieve good indoor air quality. Read more about the M1 Cleanliness Classification here.
Supports Healthy Indoor Air – M1-certified ventilation systems are designed to maintain and enhance indoor air quality.
No Harmful Emissions – The M1 classification helps to ensure the system does not release gases or particles that compromise air quality.
Odor-Free Performance – M1-certified products do not introduce unpleasant smells into your indoor environment.
Easy to Maintain – Designed for effortless cleaning, helping you keep the air fresh and healthy at all times.
The Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products is owned by Rakennustietosäätiö RTS sr and operated by Rakennustietosäätiö RTS’s subsidiary Rakennustieto Oy. The classification is overseen and developed by the principal committee Indoor Environment (PT 41) appointed by Rakennustietosäätiö RTS sr, in which representatives include construction products industry, developers, designers,and research institutes. Classification applications and matters related to classification decisions are handled confidentially by a separate impartial classification committee. The classification decisions are based on the document Classification of Indoor Environment 2018 (Sisäilmastoluokitus 2018), the general rules of the classification and the classification criteria.
The voluntary Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products is part of the broader Classification of Indoor Environment (Sisäilmastoluokitus) developed by the Finnish Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate and Rakennustietosäätiö RTS sr.
The Classification of Indoor Environment was published for the first time in 1995 and has since been updated in 2001, 2008 and 2018. The Classification of Indoor Environment is used by architects, designers, contractors, and manufacturers when building healthier and more comfortable buildings.
The M1 Cleanliness Classification is a unique Finnish innovation. Actually, it is globally the only Cleanliness Classification for ventilation products. The voluntary M1 Cleanliness Classification has been developed considering the Finnish perception of good indoor air. Good indoor air is clean and doesn't smell, so these things should also be demanded from the ventilation products.
Importers and manufacturers can apply for the M1 Cleanliness Classification for products covered by the classification:
Insulating materials, sealants, and other building materials belong in the scope of Emission Classification of Building Materials.
The Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products can only be granted by Rakennustieto. In addition to laboratory tests, an application for classification is always required. Further instructions on how to apply for M1 Classification can be found in the section Classification process.
All applications are submitted through the application portal. You log in to the application portal with your personal credentials, which are created the first time you log in. By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to pay Rakennustieto Oy the valid classification fee and any other fees related to the granting of the classification.
Applications must be submitted no later than four (4) working days before the classification meeting. Please do not combine several different products or product groups in one application. If the application requires supplementation or additional information, it will be requested from the contact person of the application before the classification meeting. If the application does not contain all the information necessary for processing, it will not be presented in the classification meeting until all the necessary information has been submitted.
All documents and information submitted will be treated confidentially. Dates of upcoming meetings can be found in the application portal. Normally, the decisions of the classification committee and the classification documents of approved applications are delivered to the e-mail address indicated in the application within two (2) weeks of the meeting.
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.
Upcoming meeting dates can be found on the front page of the application portal.
If a product is not yet M1-classified, the manufacturer or importer may apply for an M1 Cleanliness Classification after successful testing in an approved testing laboratory. When applying for the classification, the test report shall not be older than one (1) year. The following information is attached to the new classification application:
If there have been no changes in the manufacturing method, composition, or other characteristics of the product during the first 3-year classification period, the validity of the classification can be extended by a continuation application for one 3-year period without retesting. The following information is attached to the classification continuation application:
Classification renewal application
Once the product has been M1-classified for a total of six (3+3) years, the product must be tested again and the classification renewed. When applying for the classification, the test report shall not be older than one (1) year. The following information is attached to the classification renewal application:
Change in product name
The name of a classified product can be changed both when applying for a classification and during an ongoing classification period. For those looking for M1-classified products to find the products in the M1 database, it is advisable update the product name as soon as possible after the change has entered into force or even before the change takes place (if necessary, both the new and the old names can be M1-classified at the same time). When changing the name of the product, the following documentation is attached to the application:
Change in company information or transfer of classification to another company
Changes can be made to the information of the classification holder both when applying for a classification and during an ongoing classification period. For those looking for M1-classified products to find the products in the M1 database, the details of the classification holder should be updated as soon as possible after the change has entered into force. When changing the details of the classification holder, the following documentation is attached to the application:
Change in the composition or the manufacturing process of the product
If changes are made to the composition or to the manufacturing process of the product that may have an impact on the Cleanliness Classification of the product, Building Information must be notified of these changes in advance. Based on the information provided, the classification committee assesses whether the product or product group needs to be retested or not. When submitting a notification of changes, the following documentation is attached to the application:
Removing a product from the M1 Classification
The holder of the classification may relinquish the Cleanliness Classification of a product during ongoing classification period, if for instance the product is discontinued. As a result, the product is removed from the M1 database and the right to use the classification label is cancelled. The removal notification shall include a list of product names to be removed.
The Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products can only be granted by Rakennustieto. In addition to laboratory tests, an application for classification is always required. The application must include both the test report and the requested information about the product(s).
Classification applications are submitted for processing through the application portal and are processed confidentially by an impartial classification committee. If the products to be classified are very similar in terms of use and physical and chemical properties, they may be classified as a product group. The product grouping should be done before the testing and classification application phase.
The different phases of the classification process are explained in more detail below and in section Testing and classification criteria.
Before applying for a Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products, the productshall be tested in a laboratory approved by Rakennustieto according to the testing protocol for ventilation products (currently available only in Finnish). All practical matters related to the testing are agreed between the applicant and the testing laboratory. The applicant is responsible for the costs related to the testing and pays them directly to the testing facility.
If the testing protocol does not cover the testing of a particular product type, the classification committee will decide how the product shall be tested. If the testing of a product type has not been addressed in the testing protocol or questions arise about the testing, the Product Manager of the Cleanliness Classification shall be contacted before testing. If the testing has not been carried out according to the classification committee’s decision and the testing protocol,the classification cannot be granted based on the testing and new testing is required.
In the list below you will findall laboratories Rakennustieto has approved to carry out tests for the M1 Classification. Please note that testing alone does not entitle a company to market a product as M1-classified. Only Rakennustieto can grant a product the M1 Classification.
Sheet metal ventilation ducts and duct parts as well as closing, adjusting and fire dampers
University of Eastern Finland
Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Antti Väisänen
antti.vaisanen(at)uef.fi
+358 50 467 0622
Postal address: P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
Emission measurements (e.g. for polymer ducts, silencers, and textile terminal devices)
Eurofins Expert Services Oy
Hanna Kajander
MaterialEmissions(at)cpt.eurofinseu.com
+358 40 829 4627
Postal address: P.O. Box 47, 02151 Espoo, Finland
Visiting address: Kivimiehentie 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
www.eurofins.fi/expertservices
Fibre measurements for silencers
Eurofins Expert Services Oy
Pekka Kettunen
PekkaKettunen(at)cpt.eurofinseu.com
+358 40 159 6471
Postal address: P.O. Box 47, 02151 Espoo, Finland
Visiting address: Tekniikantie 4B, 02150 Espoo, Finland
www.eurofins.fi/expertservices
The applicant agrees to pay Rakennustieto Oy (Building Information Ltd ) the valid classification fee and any other fees related to the granting of the M1 Cleanliness Classification. The validity of the right to use the classification label is three (3) years from the date of granting the classification. The validity of the continuation and renewal periods of the classification will continue from where the previous classification period ends. 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). All classification fees include one (1) classification certificate in one (1) standard language. The formation of a product group and the selection of product(s) for testing before applying for the actual classification is free of charge.
Classification fees to be paid to Rakennustieto Oy for the M1 Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products as of 1.1.2025:
Individual products
Product groups
Other fees
Rakennustieto Oy is registered for VAT purposes. Value added tax is added to invoices if applicable. In case of invoicing VAT registered customer located in other EU member state, the invoice is VAT 0% and reverse charge applies. In case the customer is located outside the EU and is considered as taxable person, the invoicing is VAT 0%. Rakennustieto Oy reserves the right to change the fees.
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 Cleanliness 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.
The M1 Classification is valid for three (3) years
The M1 Cleanliness 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).
Quality assurance and obligations of the manufacturer
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:
You can search for M1-classified ventilation products from below. Mobile version can be found from here
Below you will find downloadable materials related to the M1 Cleanliness Classification of Ventilation Products.
Protocol for the cleanliness classification of ventilation products (in Finnish, published 2025)
Product type-specific testing and classification requirements:
How long is the M1 Classification valid and who can apply for it?
M1 Classification of a product can be applied by the manufacturer or the importer. The classification is valid for three years at a time.
If there have been no changes in the composition or manufacturing process of the product during the first classification period, the product is eligible for one 3-year continuation of the classification without retesting.
Thus, the product must be tested every six years, but the classification must be re-applied every three years.
How do you know if a product is M1-classified?
M1 Classification label may be used in the marketing of an M1-classified product. The classification label may only be used in relation to M1-classified products and shall not refer to the company as a whole or to products for which no classification has been granted.
Each product that has received an M1 Classification has also been issued with a classification certificate, indicating to which company and product name the right to use the classification has been granted and for how long the classification is valid.
M1-classified products can also be searched in the M1 database by company or product name as well as the Talo 2000 classification. The product will drop out from the database in four months after the certification has expired.
If a product cannot be found in the M1 database, it does not have a valid M1 Classification. If you suspect misuse of the M1 Classification or detect misleading marketing, please report it to the M1 Product Manager.