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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2

25 May 2017

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 424/2017

US : Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products - Compliance Date Extension

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register (FR) of 24 May 2017 to extend the compliance dates for certain requirements with respect to formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products.

DETAILS

2.EPA issued a final rule on 12 December 2016 to implement the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. The purpose is to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, which will reduce exposures to formaldehyde and result in benefits from avoided adverse health effects. This final rule included formaldehyde emission standards applicable to hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard, and finished goods containing these products, that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured (including imported) in the US. The final rule also included provisions relating to, among other things, laminated products, testing requirements, product labeling, recordkeeping and certification requirements, etc. While the final rule took effect on 22 May 2017, EPA will extend the deadlines for implementation of certain requirements and provisions, including emission standards, recordkeeping, labelling and certification, etc., if it receives no adverse comment by 8 June 2017. Relevant FR notices are available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-12-12/pdf/2016-27987.pdf and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-05-24/pdf/2017-10548.pdf.

ENQUIRIES

3.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact Mr Lewis LAU at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Jasper LAM)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.