The bill covers the emissions of formaldehyde resins used in the manufacture of particleboard, MDF and hardwood plywood. The bill also directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish implementation, testing and compliance provisions for the standard that can be implemented on a national level.

 “High levels of formaldehyde are a health threat,” Klobuchar said. “This bill will establish national standards that will both protect public health and ensure an even playing field between domestic wood products and foreign imports.”

About the Standard
The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act would establish national emission standards under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for formaldehyde in new composite wood products (secondhand products and antiques are exempted.)

Under the proposed federal legislation, by Jan. 1, 2013, these products sold in the U.S. would have to meet a formaldehyde emission standard of about 0.09 parts per million. Collectively, these would be the toughest standards in the world.

In addition to establishing the national standards, this legislation would:

    ·        Require third-party testing and certification to ensure that products with formaldehyde

        comply with the national standards; and

    ·        Direct the EPA to work with Customs and Border Protection and other relevant federal

            agencies to enforce the standards for imported wood products.

 

For the full article, please click here.