CARB Certification Services

The focus of our California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification service concerns the Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products. We can also provide technical assistance and training on compliance to reduce risk and protect your brand.

Why choose SGS for help with CARB?

We are an approved CARB third-party certifier (TPC) with world-class expertise in the regulatory landscape. In addition, we are dedicated to sharing our CARB knowledge through our training and advisory services.

As a trusted partner for panel manufacturers, fabricators of finished goods, distributors, importers and retailers, we help organizations avoid the cost and inconvenience of CARB non-compliance. If you’re placing a composite wood product onto the Californian market, trust SGS.

CARB (ATCM) certification

The ATCM aims to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. These include hardwood plywood – composite core (HWPW-CC), hardwood plywood – veneer core (HWPW-VC), particleboard (PB) and medium density fiberboard (MDF), as well as furniture and other finished products made with these materials.

The regulation impacts the whole supply chain, and our CARB certification services help to achieve compliance through product testing, factory inspections and factory quality control certification. A comprehensive certification program may include:

• Consultancy on how the ATCM regulations apply to your products
• Testing of materials and products – for example, formaldehyde levels in composite wood panels using CARB accredited testing methodology:
  • Primary test method: ASTM E1333
  • Secondary test method: ASTM D6007
  • In-house quality control test methods: ASTM D5582 and others
  • Correlation testing between factory/in-house laboratory and SGS test lab
• Factory inspection services
• Factory Quality Control certification for your staff

CARB technical assistance

Meeting formaldehyde emissions requirements for composite wood products can be an uphill task. Wherever you are within the supply chain, our technical assistance services aim to help you achieve CARB ATCM certification through:

1. Gap assessment
2. In-house lab set up
3. Quality Control System set up

Our expert consultants can also advise on correct labeling procedures and on how to create an appropriate record-keeping system.

Training

Our CARB training programs equip organizations with the knowledge and skills to demonstrate acceptable formaldehyde emission levels in their composite wood products. We’ll shape the training to meet your specific requirements, in terms of both the content and length of the program. For example, we’ve developed CARB ATCM compliance training programs that:

• Provide a customized introduction to CARB certification
• Advise on how CARB regulations apply to a specific business
• Ensure that CARB quality control measures meet regulatory standards

In addition to providing on-site or off-site training, we can deliver programs remotely via webinar.

For more information, contact a SGS CARB expert now.