New EPA Regulations RE: Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood and Wood Laminate – comments requested

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued two proposed regulations to implement a federal law placing limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood, such as hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard.  Largely modeled on rules issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the EPA proposal goes farther in that it also covers laminated wood products, imposes more precise labeling on covered products and requires compliance information to be passed down from manufacturer/importer through the distribution chain.

Any musical instrument using composite wood or wood laminate would be covered by the proposal. An EPA document explaining the proposed rules and containing a link to them can be found here.

The deadline for comments on the proposals has been extended to September 9.  NAMM is working with other industry groups concerning impact of the proposals.

Please forward your comments/concerns to MaryL@namm.org or jimcounsel@aol.com.

If you missed the The International Wood Products Association (IWPA) IWPA webinar concerning EPA Formaldehyde regulations on Thursday, July 25th please download the attached PowerPoint presentation along with the labeling and recordkeeping handouts.