CARB - Formaldehyde Regulation Update

Written by: Blake Holton - Quality Manager

Few things strike fear into our hearts faster than ‘government regulation’, but in January 2009 that’s precisely how many felt about the enactment of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) to reduce formaldehyde from composite wood products.

The ATCM created the world’s most stringent formaldehyde emissions regulation for particle board, medium density fiberboard and hardwood plywood. The ‘technology forcing’ emissions limits for formaldehyde set the industry looking for alternatives to long used urea-formaldehyde adhesives. Many settled on ultra-low emitting formaldehyde adhesives, and others explored no-added formaldehyde alternatives. States did both.

The CARB ATCM was implemented in stages. The first round of regulation for manufacturers (like States) occurred in January 2009 when the Phase 1 emissions levels (0.08 parts per million) for veneer core products were implemented.  Veneer core products saw another emissions reduction when the Phase 2 limit (0.05 ppm) was enacted in January 2010. Each of these stages had sell through provisions for manufacturers, distributors and retailers. You can view the sell through provisions at the CARB website http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/outreach/regguidance0711.pdf

Looking forward to 2012 we will see an additional implementation of the CARB regulation. In July 2012 Phase 2 emissions limits will be required for composite core hardwood plywood panels. Manufacturers will have until September 30, 2012 to sell any remaining inventory. Distributors will have until November 30, 2012 to sell their remaining inventory of Phase 1 composite core hardwood plywood panels.

Although the ATCM can seem daunting, compliance is easier than many think. Purchasing hardwood plywood panels that are clearly marked as compliant with the regulation, maintaining records showing purchases comply with the regulation and making sure you have familiarized yourself with the pertinent sections of the regulation are key. You can view the entire regulation: http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2007/compwood07/compwood07.htm at the CARB website.

Looking ahead, it appears that additional regulation championed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create federal legislation limiting formaldehyde emissions of composite wood products will be implemented in the near future. Likely the law will be very similar to California’s regulation. Also, as formaldehyde gains more attention at the consumer level, look for increased demand for panels bonded with no-added-formaldehyde adhesives.

How have the CARB regulations on formaldehyde affected you? For those of you outside the State of California, have you seen demand for CARB compliant wood products?