July 22, 2010

A new federal law establishes national emission standards for formaldehyde in new composite wood products under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act will require products manufactured using hardwood plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fiberboard to meet a formaldehyde emission standard of about 0.09 parts per million by January 1, 2013. The new standard will apply to both domestic products and foreign imports.

The law also requires third party testing and certification to ensure that products with formaldehyde comply with the national standard, and directs the Environmental Protection Agency to work with Customs and Border Protection to enforce the standard for imported wood products.

The federal limit is similar to that established under recent CARB regulation (California Air Resources Board - Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products).  Specific labeling requirements for finished composite wood products are not included in the Act, but it is expected that the labeling requirements will be similar to the CARB model.

The legislation has broad support from the wood products industry, including the Composite Panel Association, as well as environmental, health, and labor organizations.

More on the Federal law. (GPO)