On January 1, 2009 the long debated California Air Resources Board (CARB) rule limiting formaldehyde emissions from Composite Wood Products (particleboard, MDF and hardwood plywood) went into effect. The CARB rule has been rightly characterized as “the toughest production standard in the world” for formaldehyde emissions, in part because it includes a requirement for rigorous third party testing and certification. All composite panels made or sold in California must now meet the first phase of California’s new rule, and finished products containing non-complaint composites must be off retail shelves by July 1, 2010.

The domestic industry is moving quickly to meet the CARB rule, and offshore manufacturers are beginning to follow suit. The Composite Panel Association (CPA) estimates that 96% of North American particleboard and MDF production capacity is already certified to meet Phase 1 of the CARB rule, and about 80% of hardwood plywood production is meeting Phase 1 too. Simply put, finished product manufacturers that source from North American suppliers will have no problem obtaining CARB compliant wood composites, whereas compliance by offshore suppliers still has a long way to go. Asian production in particular is well behind North American quality assurance and compliance levels, yet more than 200 plants in China alone have already obtained certification by CARB-approved Third Party Certification (TPC) agencies.

To meet the CARB requirements, composite panel producers must have their quality systems certified by a TPC. That in turn allows architects, builders and downstream fabricators to specify CARB-compliant material and to have this documented by product certification labels. CPA was the first TPC approved by CARB and currently certifies about 90% of the particleboard and MDF production capacity in North America. A total of 23 such TPCs around the world have been approved by CARB, with 11 more applications pending.

Beyond the interest in low-emitting composites, there is a growing interest in products that can substantiate a green claim when it comes to recycled or post-consumer content. When the North America composite panel industry says it’s among the greenest in the world, there’s plenty of proof that goes well beyond compliance with the CARB rule. For example, CPA’s Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) Certification requires panel producers to meet a two part test: compliance with CARB emission ceilings requirements and proof that the raw material in the panel is made from 100% recycled, residual or post-consumer wood. Participation in the EPP Downstream Program extends this concept to licensing manufacturers of finished goods, and licensing has grown more than 500% in the past year as the EPP trademark is becoming one of the most sought after ways to demonstrate environmental stewardship.

Presented at right is a handy reference guide to the CARB rule – products encompassed by the California rule, emission ceilings, compliance and sell through deadlines, and exemptions.

For more information about the CARB rule, the composite panel industry and EPP-certified companies, visit www.pbmdf.com or www.CARBrule.org.