The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new federal formaldehyde emissions regulations took effect on June 1st, 2018. It is the Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to regulate the chemical emissions produced by composite wood products. The agency defines composite wood products as both US and imported particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and hardwood plywood. Hardboard made under our TM Tablex is defined as “not required to comply with the emission standards or the testing and certification”, so is fully exempt.
TSCA Title VI ensures that hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard products sold, supplied, offered for sale, imported to, or manufactured in the United States are in compliance with the standards. The rule established a third-party certification program for laboratory testing and oversight of formaldehyde emissions from manufactured and/or imported composite wood products. “Beginning June 1, 2018, composite wood products sold, supplied, offered for sale, manufactured, or imported in the United States are required to be labeled as CARB ATCM Phase II or TSCA Title VI compliant. Beginning on March 22, 2019, composite wood products must be labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant.”
Why Harboard is Exempt For TSCA Title VI?
Tablex is ‘pure wood’, made up from wood and water taking advantage of the thermoplastic properties of the lignin as a natural adhesive instead of using artificial adhesives. Betanzos HB production process is distinguished by the non use of artificial adhesives to join wood fibres, using water instead. The final product shows a dark brown tone originated during the polymerization of the lignin and sugars in high temperatures, and specific marks on one side due to the metal mesh the product should rest on during a part of the process. Tablex does not emit formaldehyde except the one coming from the natural wood.
Stay Compliant With CARB Phase 2
EPA’s regulation is largely consistent with CARB. With the implementation of the new federal regulations, products do not have to be dual labeled in California. This means that our Tablex products are Title VI exempt, and are also CARB Phase 2 exempt. For a while, in order to add clarity to the market, Betanzos HB will use both badges to ensure the knowledge of the harboard.
Business opportunity for wood traders
If you are a professional buyer or trader interested in exploring more information about Tablex, ask our sales team. Betanzos HB is a high density board factory and sells directly to industries, wood product traders and wholesalers suppliers in 90 countries. In Betanzos HB we are looking to expand our delivery net.