The US Federal Register issues a final rule on formaldehyde emission standards. This final rule includes formaldehyde emission standards applicable to hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard, and finished goods containing these products, that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured (including imported) in the United States. It is noted that the rule is effective on 10 February 2017.

This final rule establishes the manufactured-by date for composite wood products at 12 December 2017. After this date, hardwood plywood made with either a combination core or a veneer core, particleboard, and MDF must be manufactured (including imported) in compliance with the provisions of this final rule.

Products must comply with emission standards:

Hardwood plywood (made with a veneer core or a composite core) = 0.05 ppm

Particleboard = 0.09 ppm

MDF = 0.11 ppm

Thin MDF = 0.13 ppm

The requirements in this final rule are consistent, to the extent EPA deemed appropriate and practical considering TSCA Title VI, with the requirements currently in effect in California under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Air Toxics Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products (ATCM).

It establishes the manufactured-by date for laminated products at 12 December 2023. Before that date, laminated product producers must use compliant composite wood product platforms and comply with the recordkeeping and labeling requirements for fabricators.After that date, laminated products that are exempt from the definition of hardwood plywood must also keep, as a condition of the exemption, records demonstrating eligibility for the exemption. Other laminated products will have to be made in compliance with the testing and TPC certification requirements for hardwood plywood.

C&K Testing advises businesses to deal with due care.

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