SAFEGUARDS | Hardlines NO. 165/17
In July 2010, President Obama signed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (the Act) into law. This landmark piece of legislation amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and directed the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations to implement the Act.
Since publication of the Final Rule ([1]: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/01/safeguards-00517-us-epa-publishes-formaldehyde-emissions-testing-rule-for-manmade-wood-products?dc=http&lb=) in December 2016, the EPA has made a number of important changes to the Act. These include, among other things, the following:
Permitting early labeling of compliant composite wood products ([2]: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/08/safeguards-13517-us-epa-permits-early-labeling-for-compliant-composite-wood-products?dc=http&lb)
Extending the compliance dates for composite wood ([3]: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/09/safeguards-15317-us-epa-extends-compliance-dates-for-composite-wood-products?dc=http&lb)
On October 25, 2017, EPA published a DFR ([4]: http://www.sgs.com/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-10-25/pdf/2017-23062.pdf) to update the references for multiple voluntary consensus standards that were incorporated in the formaldehyde standards for composite wood products final rule of December 2016 (81 FR 89674) ([5]: http://www.sgs.com/https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0461-0001). All other standards related to formaldehyde emission standards of the final rule will continue to be incorporated by reference accordingly, and any future versions would be considered in a later rulemaking. The major changes in this DFR, among other things, include the following:
Updating 14 standards (See Table 1) to reflect the current editions that are in use by the composite wood industry
Allowing the correlation of tests conducted through quality control methods to either ASTM E1333-14 or, upon a showing of equivalence, ASTM D6007-14
According to the DFR, all other standards in the formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products final rule will continue to be incorporated by reference as they appeared in that final rule.
Unless adverse comments are received by November 9, 2017, this DFR will become effective on December 11, 2017.
Details of the current and new standards are summarized in Table 1.Item | Current Standard (81 FR 89674) | New Standard (Effective December 11, 2017 if no adverse comments) |
---|---|---|
1 | ANSI/AITC A190.1-2002 | ANSI A190.1-2017 |
2 | ASNI A208.1-2009 | ANSI A208.1-2016 |
3 | ANSI A208.2-2009 | ANSI A208.2-2016 |
4 | ANSI-HPVA HP-1-2009 | ANSI-HPVA HP-1-2016 |
5 | ASTM D5055-05 | ASTM D5055-16 |
6 | ASTM D5456-06 | ASTM D5456-14b |
7 | ASTM D5582-00 | ASTM D5582-14 |
8 | ASTM D6007-02 | ASTM D6007-14 |
9 | ASTM E1333-10 | ASTM E1333-14 |
10 | BS EN 717-2:1995 | BS EN ISO 12460-3:2015 |
11 | BS EN 120:1992 | BS EN ISO 12460-5:2015 |
12 | JIS A1460:2001(E) | JIS A1460:2015 |
13 | PS-1-07 | PS-1-09 |
14 | PS-2-04 | PS-2-10 |
Table 1.
DefinitionsItem | Standard | Title |
---|---|---|
1 | ANSI/AITC A190.1-2002 | American National Standard for Structural Glued Laminated Timber |
ASNI A190.1-2017 | Standard for Wood Products-Structural Glued Laminated Timber | |
2 | ASNI A208.1-2009 ANSI A208.1-2016 | American National Standard for Particleboard |
3 | ANSI A208.2-2009 ANSI A208.2-2016 | American National Standard for Medium Density Fiberboard for Interior Applications |
4 | ANSI-HPVA HP-1-2009 ANSI-HPVA HP-1-2016 | American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood |
5 | ASTM D5055-05 ASTM D5055-16 | Standard Specification for Establishing and Monitoring Structural Capacities of Prefabricated Wood I-Joists |
6 | ASTM D5456-06 ASTM D5456-14b | Standard Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products |
7 | ASTM D5582-00 ASTM D5582-14 | Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Using a Desiccator |
8 | ASTM D6007-02ASTM D6007-14 | Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air from Wood Products Using a Small-Scale Chamber |
9 | ASTM E1333-10 ASTM E1333-14 | Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentration in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber |
10 | BS EN 717-2:1995 | Wood-Based Panels-Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 2: Formaldehyde release by the gas analysis method |
BS EN ISO 12460-3:2015 | Wood-Based Panels-Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 3: Gas analysis method | |
11 | BS EN 120:1992 | Wood-based panels. Determination of formaldehyde content - Extraction method called the perforator method |
BS EN ISO 12460-5:2015 | Wood-based panels-Determination of formaldehyde release. Part 5: Extraction method (called the perforator method) | |
12 | JIS A1460:2001(E) | Building boards-determination of formaldehyde emission-Desiccator method |
JIS A1460:2015 | Determination of the emission of formaldehyde from building boards-Desiccator method | |
13 | PS-1-07PS-1-09 | Structural plywood |
14 | PS-2-04PS-2-10 | Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels |
Throughout our global network of Third Party Certification laboratories, we can provide a range of services, including certification, analytical testing and consultancy for formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products for California, the US and worldwide markets. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Next step:Stakeholders are advised to comply with the latest requirements for composite wood products and finished goods under the Act for the US market.
For enquiries, please contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
t: +852 2774 7420
Stay on top of regulatory changes within your industry: (subscribe to SafeGuardS: http://www.sgs.com/en/Newsletters/Global/SafeGuards-and-Product-Recalls.aspx)!
Read more articles for the (Consumer Goods and Retail industry: http://www.sgs.com/consumercompact)
© SGS Group Management SA - 2017 - All rights reserved - SGS is a registered trademark of SGS Group Management SA. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties' contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd parties contents. This publication is intended to provide technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided "as is" and SGS does not warrant that it will be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. Do not quote or refer any information herein without SGS's prior written consent.