ADOPTION OF THE AIRBORNE TOXIC CONTROL MEASURE TO REDUCE FORMALDEHYDE EMISSIONS FROM WOOD PRODUCTS The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has finalized and approved an Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM) to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products such as hardwood plywood, particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and also from doors, windows, furniture and other finished products with composite wood parts. This is largely achieved by requiring manufacturers to meet new, stringent formaldehyde emission standards for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard panels that are sold, offered for sale, supplied, or manufactured for use in California, and requiring their use in finished goods sold, offered for sale, supplied or manufactured for sale in California. Beginning January 1, 2009, “Phase 1” formaldehyde emission standards took effect for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard. More stringent “Phase 2” emission standards for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard are to be phased in between 2010 and 2012. CARB anticipates that manufacturers will meet the Phase 1 standards by using resin technologies that are similar to those in use today. To meet the Phase 2 standards, manufacturers will likely need to use modified current day urea formaldehyde resin systems, no-added formaldehyde (NAF) or ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resin systems. The ATCM applies not only to manufacturers, but also to distributors, importers, fabricators, and retailers that sell, offer for sale, or supply hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard panels, or finished goods containing those materials, for use in California. The ATCM does not apply to panels or finished goods that are manufactured or sold for shipment and use outside of California. The ATCM also does not apply to hardwood plywood and particleboard materials when installed in manufactured homes and subject to regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Manufacturers of composite wood products are required to demonstrate compliance with the new formaldehyde emission standards by being certified by an independent party known as a “third party certifier.” Third party certifiers must be approved by ARB and follow specified requirements to verify that a manufacturers’ production meets applicable formaldehyde emission standards. Compliance testing flexibility is provided to manufacturers that elect to manufacture panels using either NAF or ULEF resins. Manufacturers would also be required to label their hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard panels to identify them as meeting either the Phase 1 or Phase 2 emission standards, or as being made with either NAF or ULEF resins. Distributors, importers, fabricators, and retailers are required to purchase and sell panels and finished goods that comply with applicable formaldehyde emission standards. They are required to take “reasonable prudent precautions” (such as communicating with their suppliers) to ensure that the products they purchase are in compliance with applicable formaldehyde emission standards. In addition, distributors and importers must keep records showing the date of purchase and the supplier of the product(s), and document what precautions were taken to ensure that the products comply with applicable formaldehyde emission standards. Fabricators are also required to label their finished goods to denote that they comply with applicable Phase 1 or Phase 2 emission standards, if the finished good contains hardwood plywood, particleboard, or medium density fiberboard and will be sold, offered for sale, or supplied for use in California. If the finished good is made exclusively from hardwood plywood, particleboard, or medium density fiberboard made with NAF or ULEF resins, then the finished good must be labeled accordingly. Struxtur Inc, the manufacturer of Hewn, is proud to only offer CARB certified products. Hewn – Hardwood With Attitude is a registered trademark of Struxtur Inc. Struxtur Inc
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