09 February 2017

USA reduces the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 770 [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2016–0461; FRL–9949–90] RIN 2070–AJ44 Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products.
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: EPA is issuing a final rule to implement the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, which added Title VI to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The purpose of TSCA Title VI is to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, which will reduce exposures to formaldehyde and result in benefits from avoided adverse health effects. 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. This final rule includes provisions relating to, among other things, laminated products, products made with no-added formaldehyde resins or ultra low emitting formaldehyde resins, testing requirements, product labeling, chain of custody documentation and other recordkeeping requirements, enforcement, import certification, and product inventory sell-through provisions, including a product stockpiling prohibition.
This final rule also establishes a third-party certification program for hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard and includes procedures for the accreditation of third-party certifiers and general requirements for accreditation bodies and third-party certifiers.
DATES: This final rule is effective February 10, 2017. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 10, 2017. ADDRESSES: The dockets for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) numbers EPA–HQ–OPPT–2011–0380, EPA–HQ–OPPT–2012–0018, and EPA– HQ–OPPT–2016–0461 are available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC.
The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566–0280.
Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
For more information:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
United States of America Public Reading Room, Ph. +1 202 566 1744
OPPT Docket, Ph. +1 202 566 0280