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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-19-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2070-AJ44</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>201210</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>2070</CODE>
            <NAME>Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>OCSPP</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>2000</CODE>
            <NAME>Environmental Protection Agency</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>EPA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Formaldehyde; Third-Party Certification Framework for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[On July 7, 2010, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act was enacted. This law amends Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to establish specific formaldehyde emission limits for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard, which 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 includes provisions related to third-party testing and certification. EPA intends to propose a third-party certification program that will help ensure compliance with the emissions standards. A separate Regulatory Agenda entry (RIN 2070-AJ92) covers the other 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.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>40 CFR 770</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>15 USC 2697</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>TSCA sec 601</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST>
            <LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
                <DLINE_TYPE>Statutory</DLINE_TYPE>
                <DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>Final</DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>
                <DLINE_DATE>01/01/2013</DLINE_DATE>
                <DLINE_DESC>Deadline for promulgation of regulations, per 15 USC 2697(d).</DLINE_DESC>
            </LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
        </LEGAL_DLINE_LIST>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature that has a strong odor.  It is found in resins used in the manufacture of composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard). It is also found in household products such as glues, permanent press fabrics, carpets, antiseptics, medicines, cosmetics, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe care agents, lacquers, plastics, and paper product coatings.  It is a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes.  Examples of sources of formaldehyde gas inside homes include cigarette smoke, unvented, fuel-burning appliances (gas stoves, kerosene space heaters), and composite wood products made using formaldehyde-based resins.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, which created title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), established formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products (hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard) sold, supplied, offered for sale or manufactured in the United States.  Under TSCA title VI, manufacturers of composite wood products must comply with specific formaldehyde emission standards, and their compliance must be verified by a third-party certifier (TPC).]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[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.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[EPA is currently evaluating the costs and benefits of this action.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[EPA is currently evaluating the risks presented by exposure to formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products (hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard) in excess of the statutory limits. 

Formaldehyde is both an irritant and a known human carcinogen.  Depending on concentration, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, even when exposure is of relatively short duration.  In the indoor environment, sensory reactions and various symptoms as a result of mucous membrane irritation are some potential effects from exposure.  There is also evidence that formaldehyde may be associated with changes in pulmonary function and increased risk of asthma in children.  In addition, formaldehyde is a by-product of human metabolism; therefore, endogenous levels are present in the body.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>ANPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/03/2008</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>73 FR 73620</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Second ANPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/30/2009</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>74 FR 5632</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/00/2013</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Rule</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>02/00/2014</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <ADDITIONAL_INFO>Docket #:ANPRM stage: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0627; NPRM Stage: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2011-0380.</ADDITIONAL_INFO>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Yes</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <FURTHER_INFO_URL>http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/formaldehyde/index.html</FURTHER_INFO_URL>
        <NAICS_LIST>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>3212</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>321219</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Reconstituted Wood Product Manufacturing</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>541330</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Engineering Services</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>541380</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Testing Laboratories</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>541611</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>541990</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>561990</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>All Other Support Services</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>813910</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Business Associations</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>813920</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Professional Organizations</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
        </NAICS_LIST>
        <PRINT_PAPER>Yes</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Yes</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Erik</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Winchester</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2070</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OCSPP</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 564-6450</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>winchester.erik@epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404T,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Robert</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Courtnage</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2070</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OCSPP</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 566-1081</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>courtnage.robert@epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404T,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
