G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.1  
 
29 May 2017  
(17-2845) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
Revision  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.  
 
1. Notifying Member : UNITED STATES OF AME RICA 
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:  Environme ntal Protection Agency (EPA)  
Name and address (including telephone 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):  
Formaldehyde emissions, composite wood products . Environmental protection 
(ICS 13.020), Wood technology processes (ICS 79.020).  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document : Compliance Date 
Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (2 pag e(s), in 
English)  
6. Description of content:  EPA is proposing to amend a final rule that published in the 
Federal Register on 12 December 2016, concerning formaldehyde emission standards for 
composite wood products. EPA is publishing this proposed amendme nt to extend the Toxic 
Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI final rule compliance dates including: extending the 
12 December 2017 date for emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions 
until 22 March 2018; extending the 12 December 2018 date  for import certification 
provisions until 22 March 2019; and extending the 12 December 2023 date for provisions 
applicable to producers of laminated products until 22 March 2024. Additionally, this 
proposed amendment would extend the transitional period d uring which the California Air 
Resources Board (CARB) Third Party Certifiers (TPC) may certify composite wood products 
under TSCA Title VI without an accreditation issued by an EPA TSCA Title VI Accreditation 
Body so long as the TPC remains approved by CAR B, is recognized by EPA, and complies 
with all aspects of the 12 December 2016 final rule. Extension of these compliance dates 
and the transitional period for CARB TPCs adds regulatory flexibility for regulated entities, 
reduces compliance burdens, and hel ps to prevent disruptions to supply chains. EPA 
believes that the proposed amendment is non -controversial and does not expect to receive 
any adverse comments. Therefore, in addition to this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 
elsewhere in this issue of the Fede ral Register, EPA is promulgating the amendment as a 
direct final rule.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection  G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.1  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:  82 Federal Reg ister (FR) 23769, 24 May 2017; Title 40 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 770.   
Compliance Date Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood 
Products, Direct Final Rule published 24 May 2017 will be notified as 
G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.1/A dd.1:  
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2017-05-24/html/2017 -10548.htm  
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2017-05-24/pdf/2017 -10548.pdf  ,  
9. Proposed date of adoption: To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined  
10. Final date for comments:  8 June 2017  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point  [ ] or address, telephone or fax 
number s and  email and website address es, if available , of other body:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/TBT/USA/17_245 6_00_e.pdf