The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has recently published a revised advisory to assist the composite wood products industry with labeling requirements for panels and finished goods.
In April 2007, the Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) was approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood panels. This was approved by the Office of Administrative law in 2008 [1]. The scope applies to hardwood plywood-veneer core (HWPW-VC), hardwood plywood-composite core (HWPW-CC), particleboards (PBs) and medium-density fiberboards (MDFs).
The formaldehyde emission standards in the ATCM were implemented in 2 phases. Phase 1 was implemented in January 2009 and Phase 2 was implemented during 2010-2012.
In July 2009, we [2] informed you that the CARB published a revised advisory clarifying the labeling requirements for panel manufacturers, fabricators of finished goods and importers, distributors and retailers of panels and finished goods. That revision specified minimum information requirements and other recommendations.
On January 10, 2017, the CARB posted the latest revision to the advisory on labeling requirements. This advisory [3], dated November 2016, contains a number of important changes, including:
| Advisory Number 384 – Revised, November 2016 Labeling Requirements for Panel Manufacturers, Fabricators, of Finished Goods, and Importers, Distributors, and Retailers of Panels and Finished Goods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Label | Panel manufacturer | Fabricator | Distributor / Importer / Retailer |
| Minimum information |
|
| No additional labeling required (Distributors and importers only require labeling if products are modified) |
| Other recommendations |
|
| |
| Example of label | Company ABC Lot number 3, 02/05/2016 California 93120 Phase 2 Compliant for Formaldehyde TPC-___ | Company ABC 02/2016 California 93120 Phase 2 Compliant for Formaldehyde or California 93120 Complaint for Formaldehyde – Produced with all NAF-based products or California 93120 Compliant for Formaldehyde – Produced with all ULEF-based products | |
*Not required if the products are exempt from third party certification by using no-added formaldehyde (NAF) and contain certain ultra low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) based resins after approval by CARB.
SGS will follow up and inform interested parties as development on formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products under CARB and other legislation as they occur. Throughout our global network of laboratories, we are able to provide a range ofservices, including analytical testing and consultancy for the emission offormaldehyde in composite wood products destined for California andinternational markets.Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
For enquiries, please contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
t: +852 2774 7420
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