Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations

Marginal note:General rule

• 11 (1) Despite subsections 7(2) and 8(2) and (3), the manufacturer of a product type made with an ultra-low-emitting-formaldehyde resin may,

  • (a) if formaldehyde emissions that are measured during the testing set out in subsection (2) do not exceed the limits set out in subsection (3), have specimens of the product type selected and tested and the testing verified on the reduced-frequency basis as set out in subsection (4); or

  • (b) if formaldehyde emissions that are measured during the testing set out in subsection (2) do not exceed the limits set out in subsection (5), have specimens of the product type selected and tested and the testing verified on the reduced-frequency basis set out in subsection (6).

• Marginal note:Selection, testing and verification

  (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the manufacturer must, in accordance with subsection 7(1), have two specimens selected and two tests performed and verified and, in accordance with subsection 8(1), it must select 26 specimens and perform 26 tests – or have the specimens selected and the tests performed – and have the tests verified over a period of six months during which the product type is manufactured.

• Marginal note:Emission limits

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

  • (a) for hardwood plywood or a laminated product, 0.05 ppm;

  • (b) for particleboard, 0.08 ppm;

  • (c) for medium-density fibreboard, 0.09 ppm;

  • (d) for thin medium-density fibreboard, 0.11 ppm; and

  • (e) for the following types of composite wood panels and laminated products for 90% of the results of the 26 tests referred to in subsection (2) and performed in accordance with subsection 8(1):

    • (i) for particleboard, 0.05 ppm,

    • (ii) for medium-density fibreboard, 0.06 ppm, and

    • (iii) for thin medium-density fibreboard, 0.08 ppm.

• Marginal note:Reduced-frequency testing

  (4) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(a), to ensure that the formaldehyde emissions do not exceed the applicable limit set out in any of paragraphs (3)(a) to (d), as the case may be, the manufacturer must

  • (a) have one specimen selected and one test performed and verified in accordance with subsection 7(1) every six months during which the product type is manufactured;

  • (b) select one specimen and perform one test – or have the specimen selected and the test performed – in accordance with paragraphs 8(1)(a) and (b), respectively, once a week for each production line of each product type manufactured that week with the exception of hardwood plywood or a laminated product that is manufactured in a quantity described in subparagraph 8(2)(a)(i) or (ii), in which case the selection and testing must be performed at the frequency set out in the applicable subparagraph; and

  • (c) have a third-party certifier verify the tests referred to in paragraph (b) on a quarterly basis.

• Marginal note:Additional emission limits

  (5) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), the formaldehyde emission limits are

  • (a) for hardwood plywood or a laminated product, 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 and laminated products, 0.04 ppm for 90% of the results of the tests referred to in subsection (2) and performed in accordance with subsection 8(1).

• Marginal note:Further-reduced-frequency testing

  (6) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), the manufacturer must have two specimens selected and two tests 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 (5)(a) or (b), as the case may be.

• Marginal note:Change in resin or process

  (7) 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 five specimens and, for each specimen, perform one test – or have the specimens selected and the tests performed – and have the tests verified in accordance with subsection 8(1) to ensure that formaldehyde emissions do not exceed the applicable limits set out in subsection (3) or (5), as the case may be.

• Marginal note:Change in resin type

  (8) Despite subsection (1), if there is a change in the type of resin used in the manufacture of a product type, the manufacturer may no longer select specimens and perform tests – or have them selected and performed – and have tests verified on the reduced-frequency basis in subsection (4) or (6), as the case may be, unless the product type again meets the conditions under this section for reduced-frequency selection, testing and verification.