Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations

Marginal note:General rule

• 10 (1) Despite subsections 7(2) and 8(2) and (3), if formaldehyde emissions from composite wood panels of a product type made with a no-added-formaldehyde resin that are measured during testing set out in subsection (2) do not exceed the limits set out in subsection (3), the manufacturer may have specimens of the product type selected and tested and the testing verified on the reduced-frequency basis set out in subsection (4).

• Marginal note:Selection, testing and verification

  (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the manufacturer must, in accordance with subsection 7(1), have one specimen selected and one test performed and verified and, in accordance with subsection 8(1), it must select 13 specimens and perform 13 tests – or have the specimens selected and the tests performed – and have the tests verified over a period of three months during which the product type is manufactured.

• Marginal note:Emission limits

  (3) For the purpose of subsection (1), the formaldehyde emission limits are

  • (a) for hardwood plywood, 0.05 ppm;

  • (b) for particleboard, medium-density fibreboard or thin medium-density fibreboard, 0.06 ppm; and

  • (c) for all types of composite wood panels, 0.04 ppm for 90% of the results of the 13 tests referred to in subsection (2) and performed in accordance with subsection 8(1).

• Marginal note:Reduced-frequency testing

  (4) For the purpose of subsection (1), the manufacturer must have one specimen selected and one test performed and verified in accordance with subsection 7(1) every two years to ensure that the formaldehyde emissions do not exceed the applicable limit set out in paragraph (3)(a) or (b), as the case may be.

• Marginal note:Change in resin or process

  (5) Despite subsection (1), if there is a change in the manufacturing process or in either the amount or formulation of resin used in the manufacture of the product type referred to in subsection (1) that might affect formaldehyde emissions, the manufacturer must have at least one specimen selected and, for each specimen, have one test performed and verified in accordance with subsection 7(1), and it must select at least one specimen and, for each specimen, perform one test – or have the specimen selected and the test performed – and have the test verified in accordance with subsection 8(1) to ensure that formaldehyde emissions do not exceed the applicable limit set out in paragraph (3)(a) or (b), as the case may be.

• Marginal note:Change in resin type

  (6) Despite subsection (1), if there is a change in the type of resin used in the manufacture of composite wood panels of a product type, the manufacturer may no longer have a specimen selected and a test performed and verified on the reduced-frequency basis unless the product type again meets the conditions under this section for reduced-frequency selection, testing and verification.