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compwood -- U.S. EPA Formaldehyde Regulation Takes Effect - Update for Interested Stakeholders

Posted: 31 May 2017 09:49:25
On May 22, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.
EPA) regulation to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite
wood products went into effect.   Accreditation bodies and third
party certifiers can now apply to U.S. EPA for recognition under
the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI.  Although the
regulation is now effective, U.S. EPA recently proposed to amend
the regulation to delay the compliance dates for all regulatory
provisions, including the emission standards and labeling
requirements, from December 12, 2017 to March 22, 2018.  Other
compliance dates would also be delayed under the proposal.  Links
to the U.S. EPA final regulation (dated December 12, 2016) and
the proposed compliance dates are attached below.  Note that the
Federal Register document starts on page 89674 with preamble and
background information; the regulation text starts on page
89724.
 
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control
Measure (ATCM) to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions From Composite
Wood Products remains fully in effect.  At a later date, CARB
staff plans to provide guidance regarding how the 
U.S. EPA and CARB regulations interact.

U.S. EPA Regulation: 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/12/2016-27987/formaldehyde-emission-standards-for-composite-wood-products

U.S. EPA Proposed Extensions to Compliance Dates: 
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0244

If you have questions regarding the ATCM, please contact Mr. Lynn
Baker at lynn.baker@arb.ca.gov or (916) 324-6997.   

Background:
The ATCM was adopted into the California Code of Regulations in
2008.  The ATCM established formaldehyde emission standards for
composite wood products, including hardwood plywood with veneer
core, hardwood plywood with composite core, particleboard, medium
density fiberboard (MDF), and thin MDF.  The ATCM also applies to
finished goods (e.g., flooring, cabinets, and furniture) that are
made with composite wood products.  The ATCM applies to panels
and finished goods that are sold, supplied, offered for sale,
used, or manufactured for sale in California.  Businesses
required to comply with the ATCM are:  manufacturers,
distributors, importers, fabricators, and retailers of composite
wood products and finished goods that contain these products. 
Implementation of the ATCM is helping to reduce the public’s
exposure to formaldehyde, which was identified as a toxic air
contaminant.  For additional information, please refer to the
Composite Wood Products ATCM website at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm.


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