On May 24, 2017, the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule that would extend the compliance dates in the formaldehyde final rule. The direct final rule would extend:
- The date for the emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions from December 12, 2017 to March 22, 2018;
- The date for import certification provisions from December 12, 2018 to March 22, 2019;
- The conclusion of the transition period for CARB Third-Party Certifiers (TPCs) from December 12, 2018 to March 22, 2019; and
- The date for laminated product producer provisions from December 12, 2023 to March 22, 2024.
Note that laminated product producers would still be required to comply with applicable fabricator provisions beginning March 22, 2018.
Additionally, EPA has published a proposed rule to extend the above compliance dates. Read the Federal Register notice announcing the proposed rule and opening a 15-day comment period.
If the Agency receives no adverse comments on the direct final rule or proposed rule, EPA will take no further action on the proposed rule, and the direct final rule will become effective. If EPA receives relevant, adverse comments on either rule, the Agency will withdraw the direct final rule and proceed with the proposed rule through the normal rulemaking process.