2017-10547: Compliance Date Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

Summary

EPA is proposing to amend a final rule that published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2016, concerning formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products. EPA is publishing this proposed amendment to extend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI final rule compliance dates including: extending the December 12, 2017 date for emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions until March 22, 2018; extending the December 12, 2018 date for import certification provisions until March 22, 2019; and extending the December 12, 2023 date for provisions applicable to producers of laminated products until March 22, 2024. Additionally, this proposed amendment would extend the transitional period during which the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Third Party Certifiers (TPC) may certify composite wood products under TSCA Title VI without an accreditation issued by an EPA TSCA Title VI Accreditation Body so long as the TPC remains approved by CARB, is recognized by EPA, and complies with all aspects of the December 12, 2016 final rule. Extension of these compliance dates and the transitional period for CARB TPCs adds regulatory flexibility for regulated entities, reduces compliance burdens, and helps to prevent disruptions to supply chains. EPA believes that the proposed amendment is non-controversial and does not expect to receive any adverse comments. Therefore, in addition to this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, EPA is promulgating the amendment as a direct final rule.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 40 CFR 770 Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products