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

NOTIFICATION

Addendum

The following communication, dated 29 September 2017, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of the United States of America.

 

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TITLE: Compliance Date Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

ACTION: Final rule; compliance date extension

SUMMARY: EPA is extending the compliance dates for the formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products final rule issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI, and published in the Federal Register on 12 December 2016. EPA is extending the 12 December 2017, manufactured-by date for emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions until 12 December 2018; extending the 12 December 2018 compliance date for import certification provisions until 22 March 2019; and extending the 12 December 2023, compliance date for provisions applicable to producers of laminated products until 22 March 2024. Additionally, this final rule will extend the transitional period during which the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Third Party Certifiers (TPC) may certify composite wood products under TSCA Title VI without an accreditation issued by an EPA TSCA Title VI Accreditation Body, so long as the TPC remains approved by CARB, is recognized by EPA, and complies with all aspects of the 12 December 2016 final rule until 22 March 2019. EPA believes that extension of these compliance dates and the transitional period for CARB TPCs adds needed regulatory flexibility for regulated entities, reduces compliance burdens, and helps to prevent disruptions to supply chains while still ensuring that compliant composite wood products enter the supply chain in a timely manner.

This final rule is effective on 25 October 2017.

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/TBT/USA/17_4378_00_e.pdf

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