Composite Panel Association Executive Order W-10-001 

State of California 

AIR RESOURCES BOARD 

EXECUTIVE ORDER W-10-001 

Relating to ARB Approval of Third Party Certifiers under 

Section 93120.4, Title 17, California Code of Regulations 

Composite Panel Association 

WHEREAS, the Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted the “Airborne Toxic 

Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood 

Products” (the “ATCM”; title 17, California Code of Regulations, sections 

93120 – 93120.12), which establishes formaldehyde emission standards for 

composite wood products; 

WHEREAS, section 93120.3(b) of the ATCM requires that manufacturers of 

composite wood products must verify compliance with the formaldehyde 

emission standards by using a third party certifier approved by ARB; 

WHEREAS, the ATCM requires third party certifiers to: 1) verify the accuracy of 

the emission test procedures and facilities used by composite wood product 

manufacturers to conduct formaldehyde emission tests; 2) monitor manufacturer 

quality assurance programs; and 3) provide independent audits and inspections; 

WHEREAS, section 93120.4 of the ATCM sets forth the process for the ARB 

Executive Officer to approve third party certifiers; 

WHEREAS, section 93120.4(b)(1) of the ATCM requires that applications to 

become ARB-approved third party certifiers must be submitted to the Executive 

Officer in writing and must contain: 1) evidence of actual field experience in the 

verification of laboratories and wood products, to demonstrate how applicants will 

be able to competently perform the requirements for third party certifiers of 

composite wood products listed in section 93120.12, Appendix 3, of the ATCM; 

2) evidence of the ability to properly train and supervise inspectors; 3) evidence 

of a current “product certification agency” accreditation; and 4) a list of the 

composite wood products that the applicant is applying to verify and evidence 

that the applicant is qualified to verify these products; 

WHEREAS, the Composite Panel Association (the “applicant”) submitted an 

application dated April 14, 2008; 

WHEREAS, the application was deemed complete on April 14, 2008; 
Composite Panel Association Executive Order W-10-001 

WHEREAS, the application indicates that the applicant has a contractual 

agreement to use the company listed in Attachment A to this Executive Order as 

a subcontractor for the tasks listed in Attachment A. 

WHEREAS, section 93120.4(b)(4) of the ATCM provides that the Executive 

Officer shall approve the application and issue an Executive Order if the 

evidence submitted by the applicant is sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant 

can competently perform the tasks specified in section 93120.12, Appendix 3, of 

the ATCM; 

WHEREAS, the Composite Panel Association was issued Executive Order 

W-08-001, signed on May 14, 2008; 

WHEREAS, the Composite Panel Association submitted an application for 

re-approval to ARB on April 14, 2010; 

WHEREAS, the application for re-approval from the Composite Panel 

Association was deemed complete on April 28, 2010; 

WHEREAS, the Executive Officer approved the Composite Panel Association’s 

request for re-approval, it is appropriate that Executive Order W-08-001 be 

superseded by this Executive Order W-10-001; 

WHEREAS, the Executive Officer finds that the evidence submitted by the 

applicant meets the criteria specified in section 93120.4(b)(4) of the ATCM to be 

re-approved; 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Composite Panel Association is 

hereby approved as a third party certifier and is issued the following number 

designating them as an ARB-approved third party certifier: TPC-1. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Composite Panel Association is an ARBapproved third party certifier for the following composite wood products: 

Hardwood Plywood, Particleboard, and Medium Density Fiberboard. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this approval is subject to the following 

conditions: 

1. The Composite Panel Association must provide their ARB-approved third 

party certifier number to each manufacturer it has subcontracted with for 

services, as specified in section 93120.12, Appendix 3, of the ATCM. 

2. The Composite Panel Association and their subcontract laboratory listed 

in Attachment A, must participate in an inter-laboratory study of their 

primary and/or secondary chamber facilities. 
Composite Panel Association Executive Order W-10-001 

3. To carry out their functions as a third party certifier under this Executive 

Order, the Composite Panel Association must not use any subcontractor 

other than that listed in Attachment A. If the Composite Panel Association 

wishes to use a subcontractor that is not listed in Attachment A, the 

Composite Panel Association must submit a request to the Executive 

Officer in writing and must provide evidence to demonstrate that the 

subcontractor can competently perform the tasks for which it is employed. 

The Composite Panel Association shall not use the new subcontractor 

unless the Executive Officer approves the request in writing. 

 

4. The Composite Panel Association shall immediately notify the Executive 

Officer if any accreditation or certification provided in support of their initial 

application is renewed, allowed to expire, or revoked within the duration of 

this Executive Order. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall have a duration of 

two years from the date it is executed; within 120 days of the expiration of this 

Executive Order, the third party certifier may apply for re-approval by submitting 

an updated application to the Executive Officer as provided in section 93120.4 of 

the ATCM. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Executive Officer may review and, for good 

cause, modify or revoke this Executive Order as provided in section 93120.4(d) 

of the ATCM. The Executive Officer shall not modify or revoke this Executive 

Order without affording the third party certifier the opportunity for a hearing in 

accordance with the procedures specified in title 17, California Code of 

Regulations, section 60055.1 et seq. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the third party certifier must maintain records in 

electronic or hard copy form for two years, for review by ARB upon request, as 

specified in section 93120.12, Appendix 3, of the ATCM. 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that on or before March 1 of each year, the third 

party certifier must provide an annual report to ARB for the previous calendar 

year, as specified in section 93120.12, Appendix 3, of the ATCM. 
anette M. Brooks, Chief 

Air Quality Measures Branch 

Stationary Source Division 

Composite Panel Association Executive Order W-1 0-001 
Western Region 

2665 East Mall 

Forintek Vancouver, Be Accredited Laboratory 

Canada V6T 1W5 

Telephone: (604) 224-3221 

Fax: (604) 222-5690 

Composite Panel Association Executive Order W-1 0-001