After receiving negative feedback from the industry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew its Direct Final Rule Wednesday, removing delayed compliance dates for certain formaldehyde emissions standards on wood products.
“Since the direct final rule and proposed rule’s publication, EPA has received several comments on the proposed amendments to the compliance dates that the agency considers to be adverse,” the agency said.
Published in May, the Direct Final Rule gave the composite wood industry more time to comply with certain standards, including extending the deadline to meet emissions standards, record keeping provisions and labeling rules:
• Emissions, recordkeeping and labeling provisions – March 22, 2018
• Import certification – March 22, 2019
• Laminated products – March 22, 2024
The rule also proposes to extend the transitional period for CARB-certified third-party certifiers (TPCs) to March 22, 2019.
The EPA will instead proceed with a final rule based on its proposed rule published on May 24 after considering all public comments.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/epa-withdraws-final-rule-delay-formaldehyde?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news