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EPA/OCSPP

RIN: 2070-AJ44

Publication ID: Fall 2011

Title: Formaldehyde; Third-Party Certification Framework for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products
Abstract: In 2008, EPA initiated a proceeding under Toxics Substance and Control Act (TSCA) to investigate risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from pressed wood products. An advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) sought to engage stakeholders to contribute to obtaining a better understanding of the available control technologies and approaches, industry practices, and the implementation of California's formaldehyde emission limits. Subsequently, EPA developed an industry survey to obtain more information on these ANPRM topics and continued to assess the hazards of and exposures to formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. On July 7, 2010, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act was enacted. This law amends TSCA to establish specific formaldehyde emission limits for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard, which limits are identical to the California emission limits for these products. The law further requires EPA to promulgate implementing regulations by January 1, 2013. This rulemaking covers the mandate for EPA to promulgate regulations to address requirements for accrediting bodies and third-party certifiers. A separate regulatory agenda entry (RIN 2070-tbd) covers the mandate for EPA to promulgate regulations to implement the statutory formaldehyde emission standards for hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured (including imported) in the United States.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: Undetermined	Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined
CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 15 USC 2697 TSCA sec 601

Legal Deadline:

Action	Source	Description	Date
Final	Statutory		01/01/2013

Statement of Need: EPA is concerned about the human health risks that may be presented by exposure to formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, because formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen and an eye, nose, and throat irritant.

Summary of the Legal Basis: TSCA title VI

Alternatives: TSCA title VI establishes national formaldehyde emission limits for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard, and EPA has not been given the authority to change the limits. However, EPA will evaluate various implementation alternatives during the course of this rulemaking.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: EPA is currently evaluating the costs and benefits of this action.

Risks: EPA is currently evaluating the risks presented by exposure to formaldehyde emissions in excess of the statutory limits.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
ANPRM	12/03/2008	73 FR 73620
ANPRM: Extension of Comment Period	01/30/2009	74 FR 5632
NPRM	02/00/2012
Final Action	01/00/2013

Additional Information: EPA publication information: ANPRM - http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=09000064807cabb2; EPA Docket information: ANPRM stage: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0627; NPRM Stage: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2011-0380
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: Undetermined
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Information URL: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/formaldehyde/index.html
Sectors Affected: 3212 Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing; 321991 Manufactured Home (Mobile Home) Manufacturing; 321992 Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing; 325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing; 325211 Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing; 336213 Motor Home Manufacturing; 336214 Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing; 337 Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing; 423110 Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers; 42321 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers; 42331 Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers; 423390 Other Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers; 441210 Recreational Vehicle Dealers; 4421 Furniture Stores; 4441 Building Material and Supplies Dealers; 45393 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes
Agency Contact: Cindy Wheeler Environmental Protection Agency Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404M, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 566-0484 Email: wheeler.cindy@epa.gov Robert Courtnage Environmental Protection Agency Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404T, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 566-1081 Email: courtnage.robert@epa.gov