This study was carried out to investigate the susceptibility of wood-based composite panels exposed to mould and sap-stain fungi. Five wood deterioration fungi (three mould fungi, two sap stain fungi) were inoculated into two types of commercial wood-based composite panels (medium density fiberboard and particleboard), which have three class of formaldehyde emission. All wood-based composite panels were more or less susceptible to mould and sap stain fungi. The attacking mode of the fungi was highly dependent on formaldehyde emission. This study indicates that all wood-based composite panels, specially low formaldehyde emission class panels should be considered to prevent fungal deterioration when they are used for exterior and humid interior applications.