From Tampa to St. Louis

Elizabeth Baldwin and Michael Martin at the 2022 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo Bon Voyage Closing Reception.

First, my congratulations to the NWFA for pulling off another excellent Expo. The trade show floor was well attended on both days. It was truly wonderful seeing everyone together again and while our problems for supply and labor and other issues continue, the mood was upbeat. It’s great to have another year in the album with a pic of me, Michael, and my infamous shirt!

I’m looking forward to seeing the NWFA team again this June when I’ll be in St. Louis for a week of compliance training. It’s going to be a lot of fun – they’ve promised me BBQ and I’ve promised to rant lots about their favorite topic, formaldehyde!

Seriously, come and join us! We’re covering far more than formaldehyde – it’s Lacey and Supply Chain Management and SOPs, etc. The training was created by the International Wood Products Association (IWPA) and the event is being hosted by the NWFA, as part of an expanding partnership between the two associations.

The IWPA developed their first Due Care course in 2015 with the support of World Resource Institute and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The original course has been adapted and expanded over the years with different modules developed to focus on specific compliance concepts. This year a three day program is being offered in-person in St. Louis, Missouri with the primary 2-day training offered twice to be more flexible with everyone’s work week. The classes are designed for anyone in the wood trade supply chain – manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers. Beyond flooring companies, registered attendees include those who focus on plywood, cabinet and furniture. The classes consist of a combination of lectures, exercises and group discussions. I encourage Dabblers in particular to sign up soon!

  • June 20th & 21st 2-DAY Wood Trade Compliance Training. Topics include Lacey Act Due Diligence Tools, Risk Assessment Concepts, SOPs, PPQ 505s and Supply Chain Management
  • June 22nd half day: Designing and Conducting Audits
  • June 22nd half day: “FER” Compliance (FER:  Formaldehyde Emission Regulations for composite wood products, including CARB, TSCA Title VI, and CANFER)
  • June 23rd & 24th 2-DAY Repeat: Wood Trade Compliance Training.  Topics include Lacey Act Due Diligence Tools, Risk Assessment Concepts, SOPs, PPQ 505s and Supply Chain Management

Click here to register. NWFA members (who are not also IWPA members) get a 50% discount off the non-IWPA member price. Contact Mary Sáenz for more information. See you in St. Louis!

Elizabeth Baldwin is Environmental Compliance Officer for Metropolitan Hardwood Floors. In her 25 plus year career in the wood industry has visited over 70 countries and hundreds of facilities of all sizes and types. She describes herself as a “jack of all wood trades.” Familiar with jungles of all sorts–having camped out along the Amazon and walked the halls of Congress–she blogs for the NWFA on both environmental and regulatory issues for educational and informational purposes only. Her blog is not intended and should not be construed as legal advice. Persons seeking legal advice on compliance with CARB, TSCA, the U.S. Lacey Act or any other law, regulation, or compliance requirement/claim should consult with the regulatory agency directly and/or a qualified legal professional.

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