Canada Proposes Regulations to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products

Proposed amendments to the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations were recently published in Canada Gazette, marking the beginning of a 75-day public comment period.

Formaldehyde, a colorless gas commonly found in household products and building materials, poses health risks such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as exacerbating asthma symptoms, particularly in children. High levels of formaldehyde in the air have been associated with nasal cancer.

The proposed regulations aim to reduce Canadians' exposure to formaldehyde emissions by setting limits on the amount of formaldehyde that composite wood products can emit and requiring industry compliance with record keeping, labelling, and reporting requirements. These regulations align with similar requirements in the United States to minimize the burden for businesses operating in both countries.

In addition to the proposed regulations, Health Canada has published guidance documents to provide information on the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations and the role of third-party certifiers in certifying composite wood products.

The final Directive Concerning Testing for Formaldehyde Emissions, which elaborates on testing requirements in the regulations, has also been published. 

MORE INFO ON: www.canada.ca