EPA Amends Formaldehyde Standards, Final Rule To Be Published

by | 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 The voluntary consensus standards were updated, withdrawn or superseded to because of new information, technology, and methodology, EPA wrote.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

EPA Extends Compliance Dates For Composite Wood Products

by | Sep 8, 2017 | News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will issue a final rule that will extend compliance dates for the national Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products, according to Furniture Today.

“As announced on its website this week, the dates will be amended as follows:

* Emission standards, recordkeeping and labeling provisions from December 12, 2017, to December 12, 2018
* Import certification provisions from December 12, 2018, to March 22, 2019
* Laminated product producer provisions from December 12, 2023, to March 22, 2024
* The conclusion of the transition period for CARB Third-Party Certifiers from December 12, 2018, to March 22, 2019

“On July 11, the EPA also published a direct final rule that would remove a provision that prohibited the early labeling of compliant products before the original December 12 deadline. As it received no adverse comments on this matter, the rule has been changed to allow companies to label compliant products before the new December 2018 deadline. That change became effective August 25, meaning that companies can begin labeling product manufactured by this date.

“The EPA said it has received no negative comments on these changes, which are being finalized as proposed.”

From Floor Daily: https://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/epa-extends-compliance-dates-for-composite-wood-products