The International Wood Products Association (IWPA) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the proposed regulation of formaldehyde in composite wood products. Among the issues IWPA raised were the lack of a de minimis exemption, the overly broad scope, the time frame for implementation, and the confidential business information that would be disclosed to the public.
The International Wood Products Association (IWPA) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the proposed regulation of formaldehyde in composite wood products. Among the issues IWPA raised were the lack of a de minimis exemption, the overly broad scope, the time frame for implementation, and the confidential business information that would be disclosed to the public.
The regulations would limit how much formaldehyde may be emitted from hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard and finished goods-including engineered wood flooring-that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, manufactured or imported in the United States.
"U.S. companies depend on composite wood products, and this proposed regulation if enacted as-is would drastically impact a host of businesses and consumers alike. IWPA is particularly concerned by the lack of protection for confidential business information in the regulation, a concern shared by many other members of the Federal Wood Industry Coalition," said Cindy Squires, executive director of IWPA, in a statement.
IWPA also raised concerns with the proposal's requirement that importers of "articles" under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) file an import certification, saying the burden of certification will be substantial.
More information on the EPA's Formaldehyde rules as well as directions to submit comments to the EPA are available here.