CARB/CPSIA Compliance

What these new regulations mean to you:

CARB Compliance for Composite Wood Products

In April 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency, voted to implement new limits for formaldehyde emitted from composite wood panels. These new limits will be implemented in two phases starting January 1, 2009. When the final limits are fully in place by 2012, the regulation will establish the toughest production standard in the world for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood panels.

The California regulation governs the formaldehyde in both raw composite wood panels and finished products sold or used in California. Both imported and domestic products are regulated, and must be third-party certified and clearly labeled to indicate they meet California's requirements.

 

CARB RAW PANEL FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION
CEILINGS AND IMPLEMENTATION-SCHEDULE

Product	Phase I Levels (ppm) and Effective Dates	Phase II Levels (ppm) and Effective Dates
Hardwood Plywood Veneer Core	0.08 January 1, 2009	0.05 January 1, 2010
Hardwood Plywood Composite Core	0.08 July 1, 2009	0.05 July 1, 2012
Particle Board	0.18 January 1, 2009	0.09 January 1, 2011
MDF	0.21 January 1, 2009	0.11 January 1, 2011

 

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CPSIA/The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

BASIC SUMMARY

The CPSIA lowers the amount of lead that can be in children's products. Section 101 sets new limits for the lead content in children's products and the amount of lead in the paint used on those products.

LEAD CONTENT LIMITS

The limits on the amount of lead in children's products are phased in over the course of three years. By February 10, 2009 products designed or intended primarily for children 12 and younger may not contain more than 600 ppm of lead. Children's products that contain more than 600 ppm are banned in the U.S. after February 10, 2009. The statute provides that paint, coatings, or electroplating may not be considered a barrier that would make the lead content of a product inaccessible to a child. After 1 year from enactment or August 14, 2009 products designed or intended primarily for children 12 and younger cannot contain more than 300 ppm of lead. The limit down to 100 ppm after three years, or August 14, 2011, unless the Commission determines that it is not technologically feasible to have this lower limit.

LEAD IN PAINT LIMIT

In addition, after 1 year or August 14, 2009, the ACT provides that paint and similar surface-coating materials for consumer use must be reduced from 600ppm to 90 ppm.

 

 

THIRD PARTY TESTING LABORATORY:

EMSL Analytical, Inc.
3 Cooper St.
Westmont, NJ 08108

 

RECORDS CONTACT:

Ron Smith
Smith Carrel, Inc.
3727 Marquis Dr. # 101
Garland, TX 75042
877-410-6994