You have spotted a wall mural advertised as ‘A+ emissions class’ (a French label) and you think the air-quality question is settled. That is a good start. But the paste you will use and the inks used to print the design are not covered by this classification. For a baby’s room or a 20 m² one-room flat, the gap shows.
By the end of this article, you will know exactly what A+ measures, which three sources of emissions to check before you start, how to ventilate after hanging, and which criteria to tighten for a child’s room or a small flat.
What the A+ label measures (and what it leaves out)
The French order of 19 April 2011 (arrêté du 19 avril 2011) in two minutes
Since 1 January 2012, every construction and decoration product placed on the French market must display an emissions label. The obligation stems from the order of 19 April 2011 (arrêté du 19 avril 2011), overseen by the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition. The full regulation can be read on ecologie.gouv.fr.
The label measures emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air: total VOCs (TVOC) and around ten substances, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Measurement takes place in a standardised test chamber, 28 days after the product is put in place.
There are four levels: A+, A, B, C. A+ is the strictest. It is not a premium label chosen by manufacturers; it is the most demanding threshold provided for by French regulation.
Comparison table of the 4 levels
| Level | Formaldehyde (µg/m³ at D+28) | TVOC (µg/m³ at D+28) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | under 10 | under 1 000 | Very low emissions, strictest level |
| A | under 60 | under 1 500 | Low emissions, compliant but with formaldehyde up to 6× higher |
| B | under 120 | under 2 000 | Medium emissions, allowed for sale but less recommended |
| C | over 120 | over 2 000 | High emissions, no numerical ceiling, not recommended for living spaces |
Important point: level C is still allowed for sale. The label informs, it does not prohibit. However, a product without a visible label should not be on the shelf, or in your basket.
Remember the ratio between levels: a product rated A can emit up to six times more formaldehyde than an A+ product, and level C has no upper limit. The difference is real, not cosmetic.
What the classification doesn’t tell you
The classification applies to the product tested on its own, in a test chamber at 23 °C, with controlled air renewal. That does not match your 12 m² bedroom.
Three blind spots remain:
- Wallpaper paste is not covered: it has its own, independent classification
- Printing inks are not included in the labelling of the base material
- The classification does not take into account the total area hung or the volume of the room: the more m² you hang, the more total emissions increase, even with an A+ product
The 3 sources of VOCs to check (not just the base material)
Source 1: the wall mural base material
Not all materials are equal when it comes to emissions. Non-woven, the material of all our wall murals, is generally less emissive than plastic-coated coverings, which contain plasticisers that can evaporate into the room air.
According to ANSES (the French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety), building and decoration materials are among the leading sources of indoor air pollution in homes in France, alongside cleaning products and furniture.
How to read the label: it must be visible on the packaging or the online product page. If it is missing, that is a warning sign. Prefer products that explicitly state the A+ level and the material.
At Novomur, our wall murals are rated A+, the highest level of the French indoor air emissions label. The available finishes (smooth non-woven, textured non-woven and self-adhesive non-woven) are detailed on each product page, and our finish comparison helps you choose before ordering.
Source 2: the paste, the regulation’s blind spot
This is a point that is often forgotten. Wallpaper paste is subject to the same order of 19 April 2011 (arrêté du 19 avril 2011): it therefore has its own classification, separate from the wall mural’s.
The result: an A+ wall mural hung with an unclassified or B-rated paste is an incomplete calculation. The paste’s emissions add to those of the base material for several days, especially during drying.
What to do: check that the paste also carries the A+ mention on its labelling.
Powder pastes to be mixed with water generally show very low emissions. Ready-to-use pastes with solvents vary more, and their classification is not always highlighted on the packaging. If in doubt, ask the seller for the safety data sheet (SDS).
Worth noting: self-adhesive non-woven removes the paste question entirely, since it is hung without any.
Source 3: printing inks
For printed wall murals (panoramic, custom designs, digital printing), the type of ink used directly affects the air quality after hanging.
Two families of ink coexist:
- Water-based inks (aqueous): low emissions, quick drying, no volatile solvents
- Solvent inks: higher emissions, with possible release for several weeks after printing and hanging
What to look for in the manufacturer’s technical sheet: the mentions ‘water-based inks’, ‘solvent-free inks’, ‘free of heavy metals’. If none appears, ask customer service before ordering.
Baby’s room and child’s room: criteria to tighten
Why children are more exposed than adults
ADEME (the French agency for ecological transition) points out that people in France spend between 80 and 90% of their time in enclosed spaces, and young children even more, between hours of sleep and indoor play.
The figure has a direct implication: a VOC concentration that is acceptable for an adult present a few hours a day will have a greater impact on a child who sleeps 10 to 12 hours in the same room.
ANSES stresses that young children’s faster metabolism and narrower airways make them physiologically more sensitive to indoor air pollutants. This point is documented, not theoretical.
The rule of the 3 A+ for a child’s room
For a baby’s room or a child’s room, the level of requirement must cover all three sources at once:
- A+ wall mural: check the label on the product page
- A+ paste: check separately, don’t assume the seller has specified it
- Water-based inks: ask the manufacturer for confirmation if it is not stated
On area: an accent wall (about 6 m² in a 12 m² room) generates fewer total emissions than four covered walls. If you are torn between a whole wall and an accent wall, the accent wall remains the most cautious solution for a room where a child sleeps.
Whatever you choose, do not move the baby back into the room before the end of the ventilation protocol (see next section).
What renters in a small flat need to know as well
In a one-room flat or a two-room flat of under 35 m², the VOC concentration per m³ of air is mechanically higher for the same area hung. Less air volume means more pollutants concentrated in less space.
Ventilation is often less effective than in a house: a shared building-wide mechanical ventilation system (VMC), small windows, no cross ventilation. Ventilating after hanging therefore needs more attention, not less.
Another point for renters: if you hang a wall mural in a rented home, keep the technical sheet of the product used. In the event of a dispute when you leave the property, you will be able to show which product was hung. Removal depends on the condition of the wall and the paste used. Our complete hanging guide details the right steps, from the first panel to the final trim.
Ventilation protocol after hanging: durations in numbers
Why the first 72 hours are critical
The VOC emission peak occurs within the 48 to 72 hours after hanging. This is the window when the paste dries and the new wall mural releases the most volatile compounds. One hour of ventilation on day one, then windows closed, is not enough.
ANSES and ADEME both recommend regular, extended air renewal after any interior decoration work: wallpaper, paint, flooring. The aim is to bring VOC concentrations back to their usual level before using the room normally again.
The protocol in 4 concrete steps
Step 1: during hanging Open a window or switch on the mechanical ventilation (VMC) for the whole duration of the work. Avoid letting sensitive occupants (children, pregnant women, people with asthma) stay in the room.
Step 2: days 1 to 3 (emission peak) Ventilate for at least 15 to 30 minutes in the morning and evening, with the windows wide open. Even in winter. The temperature difference speeds up air renewal, which is exactly what you need at this stage.
Step 3: days 4 to 7 Keep ventilating daily. Avoid heating the room above 19 °C: heat speeds up the residual emissions from the materials. A radiator at full blast in a freshly papered room cancels out part of the protocol.
Step 4: moving back into a child’s room Wait at least 7 days before having a healthy adult sleep in the room. For a baby’s or child’s room, extend this to 14 days with repeated ventilation. This is not a regulatory requirement, it is a safety margin in line with the emission decay window observed after works.
Special case: small space or room without an opening window
Corridor, interior bathroom, home office with no direct opening: point a fan towards the air outlet (VMC vent, door ajar onto a ventilated room). The aim is to create a through-flow of air, even an artificial one.
Complementary option: a VOC or CO₂ meter (generally between 30 and 80 € in a DIY store) lets you check the return to normal before using the room again. Not essential, but useful for a baby’s room.
For transitional spaces in particular, our hallway and corridor wall mural article gives design ideas suited to these rooms, which often have no window.
3 common mistakes about the A+ classification
Mistake 1: believing that A+ means zero emissions. A+ sets a maximum threshold, not a total absence of VOCs. The larger the area hung, the more total emissions increase, even with an A+ product. A whole flat redecorated at once is not the same situation as an accent wall in a bedroom.
Mistake 2: neglecting the paste. An A+ wall mural hung with an unclassified paste is like a clean air filter in a room where a window is left open onto a busy road. The end result depends on both products. Check the paste’s classification: it is quick and often shown on the packaging.
Mistake 3: ventilating for an hour on hanging day and considering it done. The emission peak lasts 48 to 72 hours. One-off ventilation is not enough for a room with sensitive occupants. The 7 to 14 day protocol is not excessive zeal, it is a safety margin to return to normal concentrations.
FAQ
What does the A+ classification really mean on a wall mural?
The A+ classification means the product emits less than 10 µg/m³ of formaldehyde and less than 1 000 µg/m³ of total VOCs after 28 days, measured in a standardised test chamber. It is the strictest regulatory level provided for by the French order of 19 April 2011 (arrêté du 19 avril 2011). It does not cover the wallpaper paste or the inks used to print the design.
Is the A+ classification mandatory in France for wall murals?
No, the A+ level is not mandatory. But since 1 January 2012, every construction and decoration product sold in France must display its emission level (A+, A, B or C). A product without a label should not be sold. Levels B and C remain legal: B can emit up to 12 times more formaldehyde than A+, and C has no numerical ceiling.
Which paste should you choose to keep an A+ emission level after hanging?
Choose a paste that also displays the A+ classification. Powder pastes to be mixed with water generally have very low emissions. Avoid ready-to-use pastes whose classification is not shown. If in doubt, ask for the safety data sheet (SDS); any serious manufacturer can supply it. Another option: self-adhesive non-woven, which is hung without paste.
How long should you ventilate after hanging a wall mural?
Ventilate for 15 to 30 minutes morning and evening for at least 7 days. For a baby’s or child’s room, extend this to 14 days before moving the occupant back in. The emission peak occurs within 48 to 72 hours after hanging: it is the most critical period, and one-off ventilation on the first day is not enough.
Prepare your project with the right information
You now know what A+ measures, what it doesn’t cover, and what to check alongside it (paste, inks, area, ventilation). These criteria apply to any wall mural, but they matter more for a child’s room or a small living space.
A useful point before ordering: at Novomur, every panoramic wall mural is printed to order, to your exact dimensions. A made-to-measure wall mural is neither taken back nor exchanged for a change of mind or an error in the measurements (Article L221-28 (3) of the French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation)); the legal guarantee of conformity still applies. The preparation phase (dimensions, choice of finish, visualisation of the result) is therefore worth doing carefully.
The configurator lets you enter the exact dimensions of your wall, choose your finish and visualise the pattern on your wall before ordering. From 29,90 €/m².
