CARB Allows Retroactive Certification of Panels
In a move that might be a big relief to manufacturers and distributors, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an advisory last week that allows wood panels produced before a mill was CARB third-party compliant to be retroactively certified. What this means is those panels currently in inventory or already in the distribution pipeline, regardless of manufacture date, can be labeled as CARB-certified if they came from a mill that has its third party certification and can demonstrate that those panels meet at least the Phase I emission levels.

"This allows manufacturers and distributors to look at existing inventories and determine if product from CARB-certified producers might be compliant," said Timber Products Vice President Roger Rutan. "This is a very significant clarification from CARB that will ease pressure on complying with the regulation."

CARB recognizes that some of these composite wood products emit formaldehyde at levels below the Phase I emission standards. These products that were produced before the mill was CARB-certified may be retroactively certified using the "non-complying lots" provision in the airborne toxic control measure (ATCM). 

CARB has posted the regulatory advisory on its Web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm.

CPA: Domestic Supply Will Be Ready
Compliance with the new California formaldehyde regulations starts with the panel producers, who must manufacture their products to meet the emission standards. Despite questions about availability and supply, the Composite Panel Association (CPA) says that its members are already supplying certified products.

"The news from the North American manufacturing standpoint is that today, probably 80 percent of North American particleboard and MDF is certified for CARB Phase I," said Tom Julia, president of the CPA. "There's more in the pipeline. We're estimating that more than 90 percent will be in compliance come Jan. 1, 2009. Domestic supply should not be an issue. It's available and certified."

Industry information also indicates similar certification numbers for hardwood plywood, such as Timber Products' GreenT line of hardwood plywood that is Phase I certified and available now in the marketplace.

According to Julia, the wood products industry has risen to the occasion to meet the CARB deadline and regulations. He said this effort started years ago and CPA has been a proactive participant in this regulation.

In fact, SierraPine was one of the first particleboard and MDF manufacturers to have all its products CARB certified.  According to Chris Leffel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SierraPine will also be one of the first to receive a NAF Exemption provided in the regulation.

The biggest issue right now, says Julia, is for people to be clear on the fundamentals of the regulation. He thinks there is a lot of confusion about what companies have to do to meet CARB requirements. Timing is also an issue, as the deadline is fast approaching.

"The focus changes after the end of this year," he said. "Right now we're educating about the regulation. On Jan. 2, 2009, our focus will shift to enforcement."

Another hot button is imports.

"Many offshore manufacturers, especially in Asia, have been slow to inform themselves about the CARB rule and prepare to ship CARB-certified products," said Julia.  "That's all the more reason to source from domestic suppliers, where the supply chain of CARB-certified panel products is rock solid. Those Asian manufacturers who have taken the initiative to get themselves CARB-certified will be at a significant advantage for quite some time over their local competition."

Companies like Timber Products are well positioned to work with importers to bring certified material to the United States. The company announced it will have CARB-certified Chinese birch hardwood plywood available in November.

Enforcement Comes to the Forefront
Enforcement of the CARB regulations has been on the minds of manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers and fabricators since the new guidelines were announced. Everyone wants to know how CARB will check panels or finished goods to ensure compliance.

CARB is still considering how this will be enforced and we hear a notice from CARB's enforcement division is in the works. Stay tuned for more details as they are announced.

Informational Webinars Posted Online
If you are looking for more information directly from CARB regarding imported material, the agency has posted two Webinars it gave in conjunction with the International Wood Products Association. One seminar is geared toward importers and distributors and one is for retailers. Find both Webinars posted here: http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm