USA: New standards for formaldehyde wood products.

 

Proposed Update to Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise the references to several voluntary consensus standards incorporated into its regulations on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These revisions are necessary because some of the referenced standards have been updated or replaced by the organizations that issued them.

The proposed changes mainly concern updated testing methods and product standards applicable to composite wood products that contain or use formaldehyde. In addition, EPA proposes to align the updated standards with the scope and definitions used in the existing regulation. The proposal also includes the incorporation by reference of a new small-scale quality control chamber testing method, which is similar to the testing approaches already referenced in the current regulation.

Entities Potentially Affected by the Proposed Rule

This proposed rule may affect entities that manufacture (including import), distribute, supply, or offer for sale in the United States certain composite wood products or goods containing such materials. These products include hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and items that incorporate these materials.

Organizations involved in testing these materials or working with certification bodies responsible for certifying them may also be affected.

To assist stakeholders in determining whether the rule may apply to them, the EPA has identified several potentially relevant sectors based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The list is illustrative and not exhaustive. Potentially affected entities include those involved in:

• veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing (NAICS 3212);
• manufactured or mobile home manufacturing (NAICS 321991);
• prefabricated wood building manufacturing (NAICS 321992);
• furniture and related product manufacturing (NAICS 337);
• furniture wholesale distribution (NAICS 42321);
• lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel wholesale distribution (NAICS 42331);
• wholesale distribution of construction materials, including prefabricated buildings and manufactured homes (NAICS 423390);
• furniture retail (NAICS 4421);
• building materials and supplies retail (NAICS 4441);
• manufactured home dealerships (NAICS 45393);
• motor home manufacturing (NAICS 336213);
• travel trailer and camper manufacturing (NAICS 336214);
• recreational vehicle (RV) dealerships (NAICS 441210);
• wholesale distribution of recreational vehicles (NAICS 423110);
• engineering services (NAICS 541330);
• testing laboratories (NAICS 541380);
• administrative and management consulting services (NAICS 541611);
• other professional, scientific, and technical services (NAICS 541990);
• other support services (NAICS 561990);
• business associations (NAICS 813910); and
• professional organizations (NAICS 813920).

Regulatory Overview: Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–199) established Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This legislation introduced emission limits for formaldehyde released from composite wood products and directed the EPA to implement and enforce regulatory provisions governing such products.

On December 12, 2016, the EPA issued a final rule aimed at reducing exposure to formaldehyde emissions from certain composite wood products manufactured in or imported into the United States. In developing this rule, the EPA collaborated with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to align the federal regulation, where appropriate and feasible, with California’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM), while remaining consistent with the requirements of TSCA Title VI.

The 2016 rule established requirements covering laminated products, product testing, labeling, recordkeeping, and import certification. Under these provisions, hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard products that are manufactured, sold, supplied, offered for sale, or imported in the United States must comply with the applicable formaldehyde emission standards.

The rule also introduced a third-party certification program to oversee laboratory testing and verification of formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products produced domestically or imported into the U.S.

To find out more the compliance for wooden products in the USA and worldwide as well as about formaldehyde emissions, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.