Hardwood  Plywood

In the context of formaldehyde regulations, hardwood plywood is a bonded assembly intended for interior use with at least one decorative wood veneer surface, with a core consisting of an assembly of layers or plies of wood veneer (veneer core hardwood plywood), or wood veneers in combination with particleboard or MDF (composite core hardwood plywood).  Like all of the regulated products listed here, hardwood plywood is often used in furniture, cabinetry, and  architectural woodwork applications.

The emissions limit for these panels is 0.05 parts per million (ppm).   

Particleboard

Particleboard is a panel composed of cellulosic material in the form of discrete particles (as distinguished from fibers, flakes, or strands) that are pressed together with resin. If wood veneer is applied to one or both sides of the panel, the resulting product is considered composite core hardwood plywood.

The emissions limit for these panels is 0.09 parts per million (ppm).

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

MDF is a panel composed of cellulosic fibers made by dry forming and pressing a resonated fiber mat. Like with particleboard, if wood veneer is applied to one or both sides of the panel, the resulting product is considered composite core hardwood plywood.

The emissions limit for these panels is 0.11 parts per million (ppm). 

Thin Medium Density Fiberboard (tMDF)

Thin MDF, or tMDF, is MDF that has a thickness less than or equal to 8mm or 0.315 inches.

The emissions limit for these panels is 0.13 parts per million (ppm).

U.S. EPA TSCA Title VI

TSCA Title VI establishes formaldehyde emissions standards for composite wood products including hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard (MDF).  As of March 22 2019, these composite wood products must be certified and labeled as compliant with TSCA Title VI emission standards.

TSCA Title VI requires composite wood products to be tested and certified, ensuring only compliant products enter the U.S. supply chain. Certification must be issued by an EPA-recognized third party certifier (TPC). Capital Testing and Certification Services was one of the first TPC’s to become EPA-recognized (TPC-8), and today certifies over 35 facilities for formaldehyde emissions compliance.

CARB ATCM 93120

 The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) 93120 in April 2007. This measure regulates the emission of formaldehyde from composite wood products such as plywood, particleboard, and MDF, and its emissions limits are consistent with those listed in TSCA Title VI.  In fact, the U.S. EPA TSCA Title VI regulation was largely based on CARB ATCM 93120. 

While TSCA Title VI is a federal regulation which applies to the entire United States, the CARB ATCM remains in effect for products produced in and sold into California.  The CARB and EPA regulations are very similar, but they do vary slightly in key areas. As a result, Capital Testing remains both a CARB-approved and EPA-recognized TPC, and has designed its formaldehyde certification program to comply with both regulations at no additional cost to the client. 

Canadian formaldehyde regulations (CANFER)

The Canadian Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations (CANFER) is the Canadian counterpart to TSCA Title VI. In general, it was written to align with the requirements of TSCA Title VI. CANFER came into force on January 7th, 2023.

CANFER covers the same products as TSCA Title VI and the CARB ATCM, and shares the same emissions limits. There are numerous minor and not-so-minor differences between the U.S. and Canadian regulations, but in general, TSCA Title VI certified products are also considered CANFER compliant as long as their TSCA Title VI compliance label includes a French translation, and certain recordkeeping and notification requirements are met. Capital Testing certifies to the CARB ATCM and TSCA Title VI regulations while also supporting CANFER compliance as needed.

Product standards

The American National Standards for the products and finished goods covered under the regulations above also include formaldehyde emissions specifications.  These specifications are covered under Capital Testing's formaldehyde emissions certification program as well, including:

ANSI/HPVA HP-1 Hardwood and Decorative Plywood

ANSI/HPVA EF Engineered Wood Flooring

ANSI A208.1 Particleboard

ANSI A208.2 Medium Density Fiberboard