EPA Updates Wood Product Emission Standards

On February 21, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule updating the rule by referencing several voluntary consensus standards under the agency's formaldehyde standard for composite wood products under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that were updated, replaced, or revoked by relevant issuing bodies. This final rule will take effect on March 23, 2023. The Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference into this rule of certain materials listed therein (the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference into this rule of certain other materials listed therein on February 10, 2017 and February 7, 2018).

The rule states that if you manufacture (including import), sell, supply, or offer any of the following products in the US: hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and/or products containing these composite wood materials, you may be affected by this final rule.

Potentially affected entities may include:

1. Products using composite wood materials

(a) Manufacture of veneer panels, plywood, and engineered wood products (NAICS code 3212);

(b) Manufacture of housing (mobile homes) (NAICS code 321991);

(d) Manufacturing of furniture and related products (NAICS code 337);

(e) Wholesale of furniture (NAICS code 42321);

(f) Wholesale of lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel (NAICS code 42331);

(g) Wholesale of other building materials (NAICS code 423390);

(h) Manufacture of travel trailers and campers (NAICS code 336214);

(i) Recreational vehicle (RV) dealers (NAICS code 441210);

(j) Wholesale of recreational and sporting goods (NAICS code 423110).

2. Others