The U.S. EPA announced in July that it will host a virtual workshop on September 8 from 9:30-5:30 pm EDT on the regulation of laminated products under TSCA Title VI. Laminated products are defined under TSCA Title VI as a composite or veneer core with attached wood or woody grass veneer (e.g., bamboo) made by a fabricator as a component part used in the construction or assembly of a finished good. Beginning March 22, 2024, laminated products made with no-added formaldehyde (NAF) or phenolic resins must use compliant composite wood substrates and keep records, but are exempt from other requirements, most notably testing and certification. Laminated products made with urea formaldehyde or other formaldehyde resins must meet the all the requirements for hardwood plywood by the same compliance date.
The Agency will seek stakeholder input on the guidance it should develop for companies petitioning for an exemption for laminated products made with NAF or phenolic resins. The workshop will be targeted towards Third-Party Certifiers (TPCs), panel producers, and fabricators or laminated product producers who contract with TPCs to certify composite wood products under the regulation. EPA will accept written comments on the issue by August 24, and stakeholders wishing to make oral comments during the workshop must register by August 31. See EPA Workshop Registration.
