News
Canada Updates Formaldehyde Regulations Guidance Document
On December 23, 2022, Health Canada published an updated guidance document on the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations. The updated guidance, initially published in August 2022, addresses CPA’s comments, including clarifications on laminated products and finished goods, formaldehyde emissions testing requirements, specimen conditioning time for primary testing, timing for reduced frequency testing and
Canada Proposes Amendments to the Output-Based Pricing System Regulations
In October 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published proposed amendments to the Output-Based Pricing System Regulations (OBPSR). The proposed amendments are consistent with those published in December 2021, including a new standard for composite panel plants (particleboard, fiberboard and hardboard) and a 2% annual tightening rate applicable to all standards. CPA provided comments
CPA Publishes Testing Laboratories Directory
CPA’s Production-Technical Committee has published the first edition of the Composite Panel Industry Testing Laboratories Directory. The directory includes links to labs offering a wide range of industry-related services, including physical and mechanical property testing and research and development. This resource is available exclusively to members and will be updated annually. See Directory. More Info:
November U.S. Manufacturing Shipments Dip
Seasonally adjusted shipments for all U.S. manufacturing industries in November 2022 decreased 0.6% from October to $548.6 billion. Wood product shipments were up 0.7% in November to $12.8 billion compared to the prior month. Shipments of furniture and related products were down 0.3% from October to $6.2 billion. New orders for all U.S. manufacturing fell
Canadian Building Permits Improved in November
Canadian building permits in November 2022 rose 14.1% from October to $11 billion (CAD) but were 4.5% lower than the comparable month in 2021. Residential authorizations increased 13.7% from October to $7.1 billion and dropped 11.1% from November 2021. Single-family totals reached $3 billion, up 7.1% from October but fell 15.2% from the prior year.
New Slate of CPA Officers Take the Helm for 2023
CPA’s 2023 leadership team takes office this week. Dan Beaty of Langboard will serve as the Board Chairman, with Steve Canary of Panolam as Vice Chairman and Marla Chappell of Weyerhaeuser as Secretary/Treasurer. Pat Aldred of GP Wood Products completed his term as the 2022 Chairman and now serves as Immediate Past Chairman. More Info: Andy
July Safety Report Now Available
The July Safety Report Is Now Ready for Members to Download
Fall Meeting Attendee List Published; Hotel Reservation Deadline Extended
The Fall Meeting attendee list is now available online, featuring representatives from more than 60 member companies. Rooms for the September 27-29 meeting at the Hyatt Regency Savannah must be reserved by September 9 to secure the discounted group rate. Current meeting details and hotel reservation information are available online. See Annual Meetings. More Info: Anna
Unilin Names New CEO
Unilin announced the appointment of An Nuyttens as CEO. She will join the company in mid-October, succeeding Paul De Cock, who will become CEO of Mohawk Industries on September 30. Nuyttens brings over 30 years’ experience to the role, most recently serving in executive positions at Solvay. Unilin is a global manufacturer of panels and
August U.S. Consumer Confidence Dips
U.S. consumer confidence measured 89.4 in August, a decrease of 0.8 points from the adjusted July reading, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The index gauging current business and labor market conditions climbed 6.8 points in August to 121.2. The short-term outlook index for income, business, and labor markets slid 5.8 points to
U.S. New Home Sales Down in July
U.S. sales of new single-family homes in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 607,000, falling 10.5% from June and 6.3% below the comparable month in 2025. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale in July was 488,000, representing a 9.6-month supply at the existing sales rate. This is 1.9% higher
July U.S. Construction Spending Weakens
U.S. construction spending in July reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.16 trillion, decreasing 0.5% from June and 3.8% year-over-year. Total public and private residential spending declined 1.3% month-over-month and 7.3% from July 2025 to $871.21 billion. Non-residential spending totaled $1.29 trillion, 0.1% higher than June but down 1.3% from the same month last