Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade - Notification - United States - Composite wood products - Addendum

notification

Addendum

The following communication, dated 14 December 2016, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of the United States of America.

 

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TITLE: Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: EPA is issuing a final rule to implement the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, which added Title VI to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The purpose of TSCA Title VI is to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, which will reduce exposures to formaldehyde and result in benefits from avoided adverse health effects. This final rule includes formaldehyde emission standards applicable to hardwood plywood, medium‑density fiberboard, and particleboard, and finished goods containing these products, that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured (including imported) in the United States. This final rule includes provisions relating to, among other things, laminated products, products made with no-added formaldehyde resins or ultra low-emitting formaldehyde resins, testing requirements, product labeling, chain of custody documentation and other recordkeeping requirements, enforcement, import certification, and product inventory sell-through provisions, including a product stockpiling prohibition. This final rule also establishes a third-party certification program for hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard and includes procedures for the accreditation of third-party certifiers and general requirements for accreditation bodies and third-party certifiers.

DATES: This final rule is effective 10 February 2017. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 10 February 2017.

http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2016/TBT/USA/16_5119_00_e.pdf

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