by Web Editor | Jun 8, 2018 | News
As of Friday, June 1, it is illegal to manufacture or import composite wood products in the U.S. if they contain excessive amounts of formaldehyde.
An agreement has been reached in the case of Sierra Club v. Pruitt that sets new Formaldehyde Rule “manufactured by” dates for producers and fabricators of composite wood panels to June 1, 2018, for CARB Phase 2 or TSCA Title VI compliant materials, with only TSCA Title VI compliant and labeled products allowable after March 22, 2019.
“CPA and its members are pleased with the terms of the stipulated agreement, which, if accepted by the Court, will ensure that North American composite panel manufacturers and their customers can manage inventories and comply with TSCA Title VI in a timely manner. The settlement represents a remarkable example of cooperation between environmental groups, industry, and the government, which has characterized the efforts on this issue since 2008,” said Jackson Morrill, president of the Composite Panel Association.
“This has been a collaborative effort between Sierra Club, EPA, KCMA and a number of other trade associations,” said Betsy Natz, CEO of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). “Our collective associations were able to provide EPA and the Sierra Club with critical information on the practical implications of setting a compliance date that would be unworkable to our respective industries.”
The agreement results from a lawsuit between the Louisiana non-profit Sierra Club and the EPA, in which Sierra Club challenged the EPA’s delay of the formaldehyde limits. Many Sierra members are survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Formaldehyde was used to treat wood products in FEMA trailers deployed shortly after the hurricane struck in 2005.
Read more on this from Woodworking Network at https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/formaldehyde-enforcement-begins-now?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news.
by Web Editor | Apr 6, 2018 | News
If you manufacture finished goods that contain particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF) or hardwood plywood (HWPW), then you likely have been preparing to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products rule. If this is the first time you have heard of this Regulation, known also as “TSCA Title VI” after the statutory authority for the regulation, there is still time to prepare for compliance, but time is of the essence. This article provides a general outline of the TSCA Title VI requirements applicable to manufacturers of finished products containing composite wood panels, as well as the key dates for compliance, which have only just been finalized through recent litigation.
TSCA Title VI covers all finished goods and component parts made with particleboard, MDF and HWPW. Fabricators that make component parts using a wood or woody grass veneer (such as bamboo) attached to a composite wood core that is later used in a finished product may also meet the definition for “laminated product” producers, which triggers several additional requirements starting March 22, 2024. TSCA Title VI does include a “de minimis” exemption for finished goods or component parts sold directly to end users if its composite wood content does not exceed 144 square inches on its largest face. This exemption applies only to labeling; products such as small picture frames and others that meet the de minimis definition must still be made with compliant composite wood and comply with recordkeeping requirements.
The central requirement for manufacturers of finished goods is that they use compliant composite wood and that this is documented throughout the supply chain. On March 13, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order altering many TSCA Title VI compliance dates, including those related to sourcing. Fabricators must either begin using TSCA Title VI certified composite wood panels in all component parts and finished goods by June 1, 2018, or be able to prove that the composite wood panels or component parts were manufactured before, or were in inventory prior to, that date. The Court has now also allowed California Air Resources Board Airborne Toxic Control Measure Phase 2 (“CARB 2”) certified composite wood panels to be considered TSCA Title VI compliant until March 22, 2019.
Read more on this from Woodworking Network at https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/management/quickguide-to-epa-formaldehyde-regulation-what-woodworkers-need-know?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news.
by Web Editor | Jan 22, 2018 | News
Shipments of particleboard and MDF in 2017 totaled 5.560 BSF for the year, an increase of 0.9 percent over 2016, according to the Composite Panel Association. December shipments totaled 395 MMSF (3/4-inch basis), down 4.14 percent compared to the same month a year ago at 412 MMSF.
Particleboard shipments in December were 232 MMSF (3/4-inch basis) and 3.309 BSF for the year, a 0.1 percent increase from 2016. MDF shipments totaled 163 MMSF (3/4-inch basis) for the month and 2.250 BSF for 2017, a 2 percent increase compared to 2016.
Also, CPA reported that shipments of thermally fused laminate (TFL) in 2017 totaled 1.267 BSF, a decrease of 0.5 percent compared to 2016. Fourth quarter shipments were 303 MMSF, up 1.7 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. December shipments were 86.4 MMSF, down 0.2 percent from the same month in 2016.
Shipments were extrapolated based on data from 87.3 percent of the U.S. and Canadian industry. Quarterly, the TFL Monthly Shipments Report also includes data on shipments by substrate, country of origin, two-sided lamination and print pattern and color applications.
The Industry Snapshot Report is published each month and is available to members on CPA’s website, https://www.compositepanel.org.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/final-cpa-numbers-show-panel-shipments-gain-2017?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news
by Web Editor | Oct 6, 2017 | News
Arauco North America President Kelly Shotbolt has been named the first recipient of the Brock R. Landry Industry Leadership Award. The award, given by the Composite Panel Association, honors individuals for their outstanding contributions and leadership to the composite panel industry.
Shotbolt was presented with the award during the CPA’s Fall Meeting, held in conjunction with the Material, Technology and Design Symposium. The event took place Oct. 1-3 in Savannah, Georgia.
The association created the annual award in recognition of CPA counsel Brock R. Landry, who retired last year after more than 40 years of significant contributions in service to the North American composite panel industry. The recipient of the award was selected by CPA members.
In presenting the award to Shotbolt, CPA Chairman Emilio Ayub of Duraplay commended Shotbolt on his impact and vision for the industry, including his role in bringing together the U.S., Canadian and Mexican panel industries to form a united North American presence represented by the CPA. Shotbolt has also served for a number of years on the association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors, including two terms as CPA Chairman. In a statement, the association also noted that Shotbolt’s “involvement and long-term commitment to the industry on significant advocacy and regulatory issues have been vital to the industry’s success.”
CPA President Jackson Morrill said, “I cannot think of a more deserving individual to be the first recipient of the Landry Award. Kelly has truly been a remarkable leader, spokesperson and strong advocate for the North American composite wood industry.”
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/araucos-kelly-shotbolt-receives-landry-leadership-award?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news
by Web Editor | Jan 27, 2017 | News
President Trump issued an Executive Order over the weekend that freezes all recently published EPA regulations for a 60-day review period. This review period delays the initial effective date for the EPA formaldehyde rule, pushing it from February 10 to March 21, 2017, according to the Composite Panel Association.
This change in effective date will only impact the deadline for accrediting bodies and third-party certifiers to register with the EPA. The December 12, 2017 implementation date for all panel producers and fabricators to comply with the regulation’s emissions and other requirements remains unchanged.
Since the formaldehyde rule was published in the Federal Register, it cannot be changed without further action by the Congress through the Congressional Review Act, which is highly unlikely, or through rulemaking by the EPA. At this point, there is no clear indication that EPA will open the docket for further comment or initiate a rulemaking to make changes to the existing regulation.
CPA will continue its advocacy efforts with EPA during this implementation delay to seek changes to the final regulation that address a handful of editorial and/or substantive issues, such as the restriction on labeling TSCA Title VI compliance until December 12, 2017.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/trump-administration-issues-regulatory-freeze-epa-formaldehyde
