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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.