SG 030/26
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to update several test methods and product standards on formaldehyde in composite wood products.
On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register (91 FR 6161) to revise several sections of 40 CFR Part 770 ‘Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products’ under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Key changes in this proposal include:
- Updating the incorporation by reference of several consensus standards in EPA’s formaldehyde standards for composite wood products regulations under the TSCA, including PS 1-22 (structural plywood) and those listed in Table 1 below
- Introducing ISO 12460-2:2024 (en) as an alternative quality control test method for consistency with the California Air Resources Board’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure (CARB’s ATCM) to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products (item 6, Table 1 below)
Highlights of the updated standards under 40 CFR §770.99 in the proposed rule are summarized in Table 1.
| Item | 40 CFR §770.99 ‘Incorporation by reference’ | Proposed Rule to update 40 CFR §770.99 ‘Incorporation by reference’ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANSI A190.1-2017 | ANSI A190.1-2022 Product Standard for Structural Glued Laminated Timber |
| 2 | ASTM D5582-14 | ASTM D5582-22 Standard Test method for Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Using a Desiccator |
| 3 | ASTM D6007-14 | ASTM D6007-22 Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air from Wood Products Using a Small-Scale Chamber |
| 4 | ASTM E1333-14 | ASTM E1333-22 Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber |
| 5 | BS EN ISO 12460-3:2020 | BS EN ISO 12460-3:2023 Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 3: Gas analysis method |
| 6 | -- | ISO 12460-2:2024(en) Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 2: Small-scale chamber method |
| 7 | ISO 12460-3:2020(E) | ISO 12460-3:2023(E) Wood-based panel - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 3: Gas analysis method |
Table 1
Comments will be accepted until March 13, 2026.
We are committed to providing information about regulatory developments for consumer products as a complimentary service. Through our global network of experts and laboratories, we provide a wide range of services including physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.
