EPA will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to extend the compliance dates under the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products rule. In the interim, EPA is making available a prepublication version of the rule. This action adds regulatory flexibility for regulated entities, reduces compliance burdens, and helps to prevent disruptions to supply chains.
The final rule extends:
- The December 12, 2017 date for emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions until December 12, 2018;
- The December 12, 2018 date for import certification provisions until March 22, 2019; and
- The December 12, 2023 date for provisions applicable to producers of laminated products until March 22, 2024.
Additionally, the final rule extends the end of the transitional period during which Third Party Certifiers (TPCs) recognized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) may certify composite wood products under TSCA Title VI without accreditations issued by an EPA TSCA Title VI Accreditation Body from December 12, 2018 to March 22, 2019. Note, before any CARB TPC can certify composite wood products under the TSCA Title VI reciprocity provisions, they must apply for and obtain recognition by the EPA as an EPA TSCA Title VI TPC. To maintain eligiblility for reciprocity during the transitional period the TPC must remain approved by CARB and be compliant with all aspects of the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule issued on December 12, 2016.
Visit EPA’s formaldehyde website for additional information.