WASHINGTON — A New Jersey importer of cabinetry is the first company fined for violating the national Formaldehyde Rule. Global Sourcing Solutions, a Division of Turner Logistics LLC, has agreed to pay a settlement of $544,064 for violations associated with the importation of non-compliant composite wood products.

The Consent Agreement indicates the company submitted a voluntary disclosure to EPA and will replace the non-compliant components with TSCA Title VI compliant material.  While the Turkish-made cabinetry met European E0 and E1 formaldehyde emission standards, some of the E1 laminated particleboard was found to exceed U.S. formaldehyde emission requirements. According to a statement from the U.S. EPA, as part of the settlement GSS, although not admitting liability, has modified its practices in construction projects across the country to assure future compliance with the Formaldehyde Rule requirements.

Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 and its implementing Formaldehyde Rule (effective June 1, 2018). set limits on how much formaldehyde can be released from composite wood products. The standard also establishes a program in which independent certifying organizations will verify that composite wood panel producers comply with the limits on formaldehyde releases.