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.

This month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a series of proposed technical amendments to the TSCA Title VI Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products rule.  These proposed amendments, when finalized, will ensure greater alignment with the existing California Air Resources Board formaldehyde regulation’s (CARB 2) certification and testing procedures and, in some instances, provide greater clarity on the application of requirements.  This is good news for composite wood panel manufacturers and companies that use the panels to make components and finished goo

A general outline of the TSCA Title VI requirements applicable to manufacturers of finished products containing composite wood panels, as well as the key dates for compliance, which have only just been finalized through recent litigation.

An agreement has been reached in the case of Sierra Club v. Pruitt that sets new Formaldehyde Rule "manufactured by" dates for producers and fabricators of composite wood panels to June 1, 2018, for CARB Phase 2 or TSCA Title VI compliant materials, with only TSCA Title VI compliant and labeled products allowable after March 22, 2019.

WASHINGTON - A ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White vacates the Formaldehyde Rule extension dates and puts in limbo manufacturers of composite panels and products, including cabinetry, furniture and retail fixtures. A temporary stay on the vacate order has been granted and parties have until 4 p.m. on March 9 to confer on an alternative compliance date, and submit either a joint proposed submission or simultaneous briefs.

The federal district court hearing on motions challenging EPA's authority to extend the Formaldehyde Rule compliance deadlines has been postponed until Jan. 26.

EPA has extended by one year the manufactured-by date for compliance with emissions standards, recordkeeping and labeling requirements. Also extended by three months are the compliance dates for imported and laminated products.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) of all adhesive products has been under intense scrutiny and regulatory pressure since the mid 1970s.

A brief look at news and legislation affecting the U.S. cabinet manufacturing industry, as noted by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.

Firms exporting composite wood products or finished goods to the U.S. can use testing laboratory Catas to confirm compliance with new formaldehyde emissions.