G/TBT/N/USA/828  
 
12 June 2013  
(13-3035)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION 
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6 
 
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):     
2. Agency responsible:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [845] 
Name and address (including telephon e and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above :    
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): 
Environmental protection (ICS 13.020), Wood technology processes (ICS 79.020) Third-party certification framework for the formaldehyde standards. 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Formaldehyde; 
Third-Party Certification Framework for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products (26 pages, in English).     
6. Description of content:  The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products 
Act (Title VI of the Toxic Substances Co ntrol Act (TSCA)) establishes formaldehyde 
emission standards for hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard 
(composite wood products) and directs EPA to promulgate implementing regulations by January 1, 2013. Pursuant to the requirements of TSCA Title VI, EPA is proposing a 
framework for a TSCA Title VI Third-Party Certification Program for composite wood 
products. Under the framework, third-party certifiers (TPCs) would be accredited by EPA-recognized accreditation bodies (ABs) so that TPCs may certify composite wood product panel producers under TSCA Title VI. This proposed rule identifies the roles and 
responsibilities of the TPCs and ABs involved, as well as the criteria for participation in 
the TSCA Title VI Third-Party Certification Program. The Agency is proposing the TSCA Title VI Third-Party Certification Program framework prior to the rest of the TSCA Title VI 
implementing regulations in order to allow interested parties an opportunity to comment 
and to begin identifying the business practices and infrastructure that may need to be modified or developed in order to effectively participate in the program. 
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Protection of human health and safety; Protection of the environment.  
8. Relevant documents:   78 Federal Register (FR) 34795, 10 June 2013; Title 40 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 770. Will appear in the Federal Register when adopted.    
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:    To be determined To be determined 
10. Final date for comments:  9 August 2013 G/TBT/N/USA/828 
 
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  11. Text available from:  National enquiry point [  ], or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresse s, if available of the other body:   
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2013-06-10/html /2013-13254.htm  
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2013-06-10/pd f/2013-13254.pdf