by Web Editor | Nov 1, 2017 | News
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a direct final rule October 25 to update a few voluntary consensus standards in the rule governing formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products.
The direct final rule corrects the rule at 40 CFR 770.20(b) by allowing the formaldehyde emissions mill quality control test methods to correlate to either the ASTM E1333-14 test method, or if shown to be equivalent, the ASTM D6007-14 test method. This correlation was inadvertently omitted from the original final rule, EPA wrote.
The correction aligns the mill quality control testing requirements with the California Air Resources Board standards allowing mill quality control tests to be correlated to the less expensive ASTM D6007-14 test method.
These updates apply to emission testing methods and regulated composite wood product construction characteristics. The voluntary consensus standards were updated, withdrawn or superseded to because of new information, technology, and methodology, EPA wrote.
EPA’s final rule takes effect December 11, unless EPA receives adverse comments on it by November 9.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/epa-publishes-final-rule-fixes-place-formaldehyde-standards?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news
by Web Editor | Nov 4, 2016 | News
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the new rules on formaldehyde emissions for manmade wood products. Under the new regulations, Third Party Certification (TPC) bodies currently approved to provide certification for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formaldehyde standards will be entitled to provide certification for the new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) formaldehyde emissions standard. Permission will be granted for a period of two years without the requirement for further approval. After this period, TPC will require accreditation by the EPA for TSCA Title VI certification.
The grace period will make it easier for manufacturers seeking a certified TPC and benefits continuity as the new set of rules, entitled 40 CFR 770, are based on CARB standards. The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, signed by President Obama in July 2010 amended the TSCA with the addition of Title VI and required the EPA to create regulations on formaldehyde in manmade wood products. After a lengthy period of consultation, new rules have been announced, which will come into effect one year after publication in the Federal Register.
Regulations 40 CFR 770 stipulate requirements for product labeling, compliance documentation, and for the conditions for approval of TPC and Accreditation Bodies (AB). The regulations also set out the requirements for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, component parts and finished goods.
Composite wood producers need to be certified through a program that includes product testing for emission standards and production facility inspections, including requirements for processes and record keeping. The emission standards are based on test method ASTM E1333-10.
From OpenPR: https://www.openpr.com/news/377699/CARB-Approved-TPC-Bodies-Can-Provide-Certification-on-New-US-Formaldehyde-Emissions-Standards.html
