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USEPA Final Rule on Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

19 Oct 2017

On 7 July 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) signed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act ــ Title VI to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which will go into effect on 22 May 2017.

  • The law establishes limits for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products: hardwood plywood, medium-density fibreboard and particleboard.
  • It is designed to reduce exposures to formaldehyde, avoid harmful health effects and mirror standards previously established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for products sold, offered for sale, supplied, used or manufactured for sale in California.

Accreditation bodies (ABs) interested in participating in the EPA program must apply to EPA. For further information on the rule, including how ABs and third-party certifiers (TPCs) can participate in the TSCA Title VI Third-Party Certification program, please click here

Note: Members are advised that the USEPA has determined that ABs which are not domestic entities must provide the name and address of an Agent for Service located in the United States when applying for recognition by the EPA under this rule. An Agent for Service is an entity designated by an AB to receive legal documents on their behalf. Information on the US government regulation website indicates this service is available at a relatively low cost from private firms that specialise in this role. We also understand that import brokers may offer this service. In addition, ABs that are part of a foreign government or act on behalf of a foreign government may designate their US embassy or US consulate as their agent for service. ILAC and IAF have also received advice that the former ILAC Chair, Mr Peter Unger, is involved in a partnership known as IQEIS that also provides this service and is able to act on behalf of multiple ABs.