Compliance Date Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products, 44533-44537 [2017-19455]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44533-44537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19455]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 770

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0244; FRL-9966-56]
RIN 2070-AK35


Compliance Date Extension; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for 
Composite Wood Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule; compliance date extension.

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SUMMARY: EPA is extending the compliance dates for the formaldehyde 
emission standards for composite wood products final rule issued 
pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI, and 
published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2016. EPA is 
extending the December 12, 2017, manufactured-by date for emission 
standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions until December 12, 
2018; extending the December 12, 2018 compliance date for import 
certification provisions until March 22, 2019; and extending the 
December 12, 2023, compliance date for provisions applicable to 
producers of laminated products until March 22, 2024. Additionally, 
this final rule will extend the transitional period during 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 CARB, is recognized by EPA, and 
complies with all aspects of the December 12, 2016 final rule until 
March 22, 2019. EPA believes that extension of these compliance dates 
and the transitional period for CARB TPCs adds needed regulatory 
flexibility for regulated entities, reduces compliance burdens, and 
helps to prevent disruptions to supply chains while still ensuring that 
compliant composite wood products enter the supply chain in a timely 
manner.

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0244, is available at 
https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 
566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-
0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information 
about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    For technical information contact: Erik Winchester, National 
Program Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-6450; email 
address: winchester.erik@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be affected by this final rule if you manufacture 
(including import), sell, supply, offer for sale, test, or work with 
the certification of hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, 
particleboard, and/or products containing these composite wood 
materials in the United States. The following list of North American 
Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be 
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine 
whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities 
may include:
     Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing 
(NAICS code 3212).
     Manufactured home (mobile home) manufacturing (NAICS code 
321991).
     Prefabricated wood building manufacturing (NAICS code 
321992).
     Furniture and related product manufacturing (NAICS code 
337).
     Furniture merchant wholesalers (NAICS code 42321).
     Lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel merchant 
wholesalers (NAICS code 42331).
     Other construction material merchant wholesalers (NAICS 
code 423390), e.g., merchant wholesale distributors of manufactured 
homes (i.e., mobile homes) and/or prefabricated buildings.
     Furniture stores (NAICS code 4421).
     Building material and supplies dealers (NAICS code 4441).
     Manufactured (mobile) home dealers (NAICS code 45393).
     Motor home manufacturing (NAICS code 336213).
     Travel trailer and camper manufacturing (NAICS code 
336214).
     Recreational vehicle (RV) dealers (NAICS code 441210).
     Recreational vehicle merchant wholesalers (NAICS code 
423110).
     Engineering services (NAICS code 541330).
     Testing laboratories (NAICS code 541380).
     Administrative management and general management 
consulting services (NAICS code 541611).
     All other professional, scientific, and technical services 
(NAICS code 541990).
     All other support services (NAICS code 561990).
     Business associations (NAICS code 813910).
     Professional organizations (NAICS code 813920).
    If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this 
action, please consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. Background

A. What action is the agency taking?

    EPA shares the concerns raised by industry stakeholders regarding 
the time needed to comply with provisions of the formaldehyde emission 
standards for composite wood products final rule (81 FR 89674, December 
12, 2016) (FRL-9949-90), and, therefore, is extending several rule 
compliance dates. EPA also believes that CARB TPCs should be allotted 
the full two years granted by the December 12, 2016 final rule to 
operate under the transitional period as promulgated in Sec.  770.7(d).
    1. Direct Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Given that 
EPA extended the effective date of the TSCA

[[Page 44534]]

Title VI final rule from February 10, 2017 until May 22, 2017, the 
Agency issued a proposed (82 FR 23735) (FRL-9962-85) and direct final 
rule (82 FR 23769) (FRL-9962-86) on May 24, 2017 that regulated 
entities should have at least the same amount of time to comply with 
the various regulatory timeframes as initially allotted in the final 
rule. The two extensions to the final rule effective date (82 FR 8499, 
January 26, 2017 (FRL-9958-87) and 82 FR 14324, May 24, 2017 (FRL-9960-
28-OP) resulted in delaying the ability of regulated entities to begin 
implementation activities to establish certification programs, certify 
composite wood products and distribute those products into supply 
chains, such that compliance would be achieved by the required dates. 
The Agency solicited public comment on this action by issuing a 
companion Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (82 FR 23769) (FRL-9962-85) 
with the direct final rule in the event EPA received adverse public 
comment. EPA did receive nine (9) comments from the public on this 
action, at least one of which the Agency considered to be adverse in 
nature with respect to the proposed extension of compliance dates. The 
direct final action was withdrawn on July 6, 2017, as published in the 
Federal Register (82 FR 31267) (FRL-9963-74).
    EPA considered all of the public comments submitted in response to 
the provisions outlined in the direct final rule and companion 
proposal. Due to the adverse comments, EPA was compelled to withdraw 
the direct final rule (82 FR 31267) (FRL-9963-74). The Agency then 
proceeded with the notice of proposed rulemaking (82 FR 23769) (FRL-
9962-85) and is now issuing this final rule and a Response to Comments 
document which addresses the comments received.
    2. Stakeholder Feedback Since the December 12, 2016 Final Rule. 
Since publication of the December 12, 2016 final rule, the Agency has 
engaged the composite wood product industry stakeholders, other related 
regulated entities, and the larger public through webinar 
presentations, trade group meetings, conference presentations, and 
teleconferences to discuss and support implementation of the December 
12, 2016 final rule. Through this stakeholder outreach, the Agency 
received both formal and informal feedback regarding compliance 
challenges faced by regulated entities, including the final rule's 
compliance dates. In addition, the Agency received several unsolicited 
letters and general correspondence from composite wood product industry 
stakeholders requesting that the Agency amend specific provisions of 
the December 12, 2016 final rule. Written inquiries and correspondence 
from Hooker Furniture, Composite Panel Association, American Home 
Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), and a consortium of trade associations 
including AHFA, Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers, International Wood 
Products Association, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, National 
Retail Foundation, and Retail Industry Leaders Association are included 
in the supporting documents section of the public docket for this 
action. Industry concerns included challenges in meeting the compliance 
dates due to the complexities of the domestic and imported composite 
wood product supply chains, import certification requirements, non-
complying lot notification requirements, prohibition on early labeling, 
and laminated product provisions of the final rule.
    Since publication of the direct final action, the Agency has been 
contacted by multiple stakeholders, national trade associations, and 
other regulated entities who overwhelmingly confirm that regulated 
entities will require additional time to comply with the TSCA Title VI 
emission standards compliance date due to supply chain, global 
business, and factory supply logistics. National groups representing 
importers and importers themselves have noted that there will be 
significant logistical hurdles with sourcing compliant composite wood 
panels for fabrication of finished goods and component parts before the 
manufactured-by date that the Agency had not considered in choosing the 
proposed March 22, 2018 compliance date in the direct final rule. 
Several commenters suggested extending the compliance date for the 
emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling requirements in order 
to allow adequate time for the production and integration of TSCA Title 
VI certified composite wood products into the domestic and import 
supply chains. The supply chain begins with the production of panels, 
then fabrication of component parts and finished goods to ultimately 
having compliant products available for sale to consumers. Commenters 
suggested extensions ranging from a compliance date of December 12, 
2018 to July 22, 2019. Commenters also noted that EPA had not fully 
understood or considered the logistical hurdles that regulated entities 
face to comply with the rule requirements. Commenters noted that 
extending the compliance date further than what was proposed on May 24, 
2017 (82 FR 23769), will help ensure that an adequate supply of 
certified composite wood products enter the supply chain. The earliest 
some regulated entities communicated being able to import TSCA Title VI 
compliant component parts and finished goods is approximately May 2018. 
One commenter also noted that achieving full compliance with all of 
their imported products as TSCA Title VI compliant could take until 
July 2019, given the anticipated inventory of non-TSCA Title VI 
certified panels and finished goods currently in their inventory and 
the time needed to obtain compliant panels to fabricate and sell 
compliant component parts and finished goods.
    Other commenters did not support any further extension of the 
compliance dates as they noted that further delay would be a hindrance 
to the health benefits from reduced formaldehyde emissions in the home 
environment, and stated that extending the compliance date defeated the 
purpose of establishing a compliance date in the final rule. Some 
commenters supported the compliance date extension as proposed stating 
that it would restore the December 12, 2016, final rule's regulatory 
timeframe. A full response to comments received during the public 
comment period is included in the Response to Comments document in the 
supporting documents section of the public docket for this action.
    After considering the public comments both supportive and non-
supportive of extending the compliance dates, the agency believes that 
the December 12, 2018 compliance date for the emission standards 
provides a balanced and reasoned timeline for importers, distributors, 
and regulated entities to establish compliant supply chains and comply 
with the TSCA Title VI final rule. Additionally, the agency believes 
extending this compliance date reflects the Congressional intent under 
TSCA Title VI that the agency implement provisions to ensure compliance 
with the formaldehyde emission standards as soon as possible while 
enabling regulated entities to achieve compliance. The Agency does not 
believe that the extension provided for the emissions compliance date 
would result in any significant increases in health risk, in part 
because on July 11, 2017, EPA published a direct final rule that allows 
voluntary early labeling of compliant composite wood products after 
August 25, 2017, which facilitates TSCA Title VI compliant products 
entering commerce sooner than under the original December 12, 2017, 
compliance date for the emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling 
requirements. Moreover, CARB

[[Page 44535]]

compliant composite wood panels, component parts, and finished goods, 
which are subject to identical formaldehyde emission standards as TSCA 
Title VI, make up the majority of composite wood products already in 
the domestic supply chains and that will continue during the additional 
time provided to comply with TSCA. The Agency also believes that the 
extended compliance dates proposed for import certification, laminated 
products, and the CARB TPC transitional period are adequate. EPA 
received no adverse comments on these dates, which are being finalized 
as proposed. As such, this final rule will extend the December 12, 
2018, compliance date for import certification provisions until March 
22, 2019; and extend the December 12, 2023, compliance date for 
provisions applicable to producers of laminated products until March 
22, 2024. Additionally, this final action will extend the transitional 
period during which the CARB TPCs 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 
CARB, is recognized by EPA, and complies with all aspects of the 
December 12, 2016, final rule until March 22, 2019.
    3. Final Rule. EPA is publishing this final rule to provide 
regulated entities with the time needed to ensure certified composite 
wood products enter the supply chains. EPA is extending the compliance 
dates for the December 12, 2016, final rule by: Extending the December 
12, 2017, date for emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling 
provisions, until December 12, 2018; extending the December 12, 2018 
date for import certification provisions until March 22, 2019; and 
extending the December 12, 2023 compliance date for provisions 
applicable to producers of laminated products until March 22, 2024. 
Additionally, this final rule will extend the CARB TPC transitional 
period under Sec.  770.7(d), which is currently set to end December 12, 
2018, until March 22, 2019 to be consistent with the regulatory 
timeframe of the December 12, 2016 final rule.
    The Agency believes that this final rule balances the further 
extended compliance dates commenters noted would be needed, and the 
proposed compliance dates in the May 24, 2017 (82 FR 23735), direct 
final rule that several trade groups concurred with in their public 
comments. EPA has begun recognizing TPCs and Accreditation Bodies to 
the TSCA Title VI program since the May 22, 2017, effective date of the 
December 12, 2016, final rule and anticipates that panel producers and 
TPCs will work together to provide compliant products for further 
downstream distribution and fabrication into component parts and 
finished goods so that those composite wood products will be compliant 
by or before December 12, 2018.
    As previously noted, this final rule establishes a compliance date 
of December 12, 2018, for the emission standards, recordkeeping, and 
labeling provisions. Beginning this date, all imported panels and 
component parts or finished goods subject to the rule must comply with 
40 CFR part 770. Existing stock of non-certified panels manufactured in 
the United States or imported into the United States before the 
manufactured-by date may continue to be distributed in commerce and 
integrated further into component parts and finished goods until that 
stock is depleted, providing documentation is kept regarding the date 
of manufacture or import. Further, existing stock of component parts 
and finished goods that contain non-certified panels manufactured 
internationally and subsequently imported into the United States before 
the manufactured-by date may continue to be distributed into commerce 
and integrated into finished goods until that stock is depleted, 
providing documentation is kept regarding the date of manufacture or 
import.
    EPA notes that it has previously referred to the compliance date 
for the emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling provisions as 
the ``manufactured-by date'' for composite wood products. To clarify, 
the ``manufactured-by date'' in this context refers to the compliance 
date for the emission standards, recordkeeping, and labeling 
provisions. Additionally, EPA has also described the compliance date 
for the provisions applicable specifically to producers of laminated 
products, finalized in this rule to be March 22, 2024, as the 
``manufactured-by date'' for laminated products. To clarify, the 
``manufactured-by date'' in this context refers to the compliance date 
for the provisions applicable specifically to producers of laminated 
products.
    In addition, to clarify EPA's original intent regarding the 
compliance dates referenced in the December 12, 2016, final rule, and 
to better align with the final rule's preamble discussion the Agency 
has amended the text preceding the compliance dates from ``after'' to 
``beginning,'' as proposed. EPA intends regulated entities to begin 
complying with the referenced rule requirements as of the dates listed 
in the final rule. EPA did not receive adverse comment on this aspect 
of the proposal.
    EPA is also proceeding with amending subparagraph Sec.  770.15(e) 
to clarify that TPCs receive recognition after they apply to EPA, not 
after the conclusion of the transitional period as the codified text 
currently reads. EPA did not receive adverse comment on this aspect of 
the proposal. As such, the Agency is finalizing this amendment as 
proposed.
    Additionally, EPA is clarifying Sec.  770.2(d) to note that 
existing CARB-approved TPCs that enter the TSCA Title VI program under 
the reciprocity provisions of the final rule must be EPA-recognized 
before they may begin certifying products as TSCA Title VI compliant. 
EPA notes that this requirement is already explicitly stated in Sec.  
770.7(d), and that this editorial clarification is solely intended to 
resolve any ambiguity to be interpreted between the two aforementioned 
codified sections of the regulatory text. EPA did not receive adverse 
comment on this aspect of the proposal.

B. What is the agency's authority for taking this action?

    These regulations are established under authority of Section 601 of 
TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2697.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders 
can be found at https://www2.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action has been determined to be a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 
was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
under Executive Orders and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011) and any 
changes made in response to OMB review have been reflected in the 
docket for this action.

B. Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This action is considered an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, 
February 3, 2017) deregulatory action. This action provides regulatory 
relief by extending the compliance date for certain provisions of the 
formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products final rule.

[[Page 44536]]

C. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose any new information collection burden 
under the PRA because it does not create any new reporting or 
recordkeeping obligations. OMB has previously approved the information 
collection activities contained in the existing regulations and has 
assigned OMB control number 2070-0185 (EPA ICR Number 2446.02).

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Agency certifies that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. In making this determination, the impact of 
concern is any significant adverse economic impact on small entities. 
An agency may certify that a rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities if the rule relieves 
regulatory burden, has no net burden or otherwise has a positive 
economic effect on the small entities subject to the rule. This rule 
extends, in response to two delays of the rule effective date and 
public comment, the compliance dates and transitional period for CARB 
TPCs to provide the time needed to achieve compliance post-effective 
date. This will reduce the burden on TPCs, panel producers, 
fabricators, importers, distributors, and retailers, because shortening 
of the compliance period by even a few months makes it more difficult 
for some of them to establish business relationships, certify product, 
and distribute certified product into commerce to downstream entities 
before the original compliance date. EPA therefore concludes that this 
action will relieve or have no net regulatory burden for directly 
regulated small entities.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This final rule 
will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal 
governments.

H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), 
as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health or 
safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of 
Executive Order 13045 has the potential to influence the regulation. As 
addressed in Unit II.A., this action would not materially alter the 
final rule as published, and will allow regulated entities additional 
time to establish their supply-chain and certification programs under 
the final rule, post effective date.

I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001), because it is not 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution 
or use of energy.

J. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This final rule does not involve technical standards. As such, 
NTTAA section 12(d), 15 U.S.C. 272 note, does not apply to this action.

K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    EPA has determined that the human health or environmental risk 
addressed by this action will not have potential disproportionately 
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, 
low-income or indigenous populations, as specified in Executive Order 
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). As addressed in Unit II.A., this 
action would not materially alter the final rule as published, and will 
allow regulated entities additional time to establish their supply-
chain and certification programs under the final rule, post effective 
date.

IV. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    This action is subject to the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., and EPA 
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. This action is not a ``major 
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 770

    Environmental protection, Formaldehyde, Incorporation by reference, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Third-party certification, 
Toxic substances, Wood.


    Dated: August 31, 2017.
Wendy Cleland-Hamnett,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter R, is amended as follows:

PART 770--FORMALDEHYDE STANDARDS FOR COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS



0
1. The authority citation for part 770 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2697. 

0
2. Revise Sec.  770.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  770.2  Applicability and compliance dates.

    (a) [Reserved].
    (b) Laboratory and Product ABs that wish to accredit TPCs for TSCA 
Title VI purposes may apply to EPA beginning May 22, 2017, to become 
recognized. Laboratory and Product ABs must be recognized by EPA before 
they begin to provide and at all times while providing TSCA Title VI 
accreditation services.
    (c) TPCs that are not approved by the California Air Resources 
Board (CARB) that wish to provide TSCA Title VI certification services 
may apply to EPA beginning May 22, 2017, to become recognized. TPCs 
must be recognized by EPA and comply with all of the applicable 
requirements of this part before they begin to provide and at all times 
while providing TSCA Title VI certification services.
    (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, TPCs that are 
approved by CARB to certify composite wood products have until March 
22, 2019, to become accredited by an EPA TSCA Title VI AB(s) pursuant 
to the requirements of this part. During this two-year transition 
period, existing CARB-approved TPCs that are recognized by EPA and CARB 
TPCs approved during this transition period may carry out certification 
activities under TSCA Title VI, provided that they remain approved by 
CARB and comply with all aspects of this part other than the 
requirements of Sec.  [thinsp]770.7(c)(1)(i) and (ii) and (c)(2)(iii) 
and (iv). After the two-

[[Page 44537]]

year transition period, CARB-approved TPCs may continue to certify 
composite wood products under TSCA Title VI provided the TPC maintains 
its CARB approval, follows the requirements under this part, submits to 
EPA documentation from CARB supporting their eligibility for 
reciprocity and has received EPA recognition as an EPA TSCA Title VI 
TPC. All TPCs that are certifying products as compliant with TSCA Title 
VI, both during and after the transition period, are subject to 
enforcement actions for any violations of TSCA Title VI or these 
regulations.
    (e) Beginning December 12, 2018, all manufacturers (including 
importers), fabricators, suppliers, distributors, and retailers of 
composite wood products, and component parts or finished goods 
containing these materials, must comply with this part, subject to the 
following:
    (1) Beginning December 12, 2018, laminated product producers must 
comply with the requirements of this part that are applicable to 
fabricators.
    (2) Beginning March 22, 2024, producers of laminated products must 
comply with the requirements of this part that are applicable to 
hardwood plywood panel producers (in addition to the requirements of 
this part that are applicable to fabricators) except as provided at 
Sec.  [thinsp]770.4.
    (3) Beginning March 22, 2024, producers of laminated products that, 
as provided at Sec.  [thinsp]770.4, are exempt from the definition of 
``hardwood plywood'' must comply with the recordkeeping requirements in 
Sec.  [thinsp]770.40(c) and (d) (in addition to the requirements of 
this part that are applicable to fabricators).
    (4) Composite wood products manufactured (including imported) 
before December 12, 2018 may be sold, supplied, offered for sale, or 
used to fabricate component parts or finished goods at any time.

0
3. In Sec.  770.3 the term ``laminated product producer'' is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  770.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Laminated product producer means a manufacturing plant or other 
facility that manufactures (excluding facilities that solely import 
products) laminated products on the premises. Laminated product 
producers are fabricators and, beginning March 22, 2024, laminated 
product producers are also hardwood plywood panel producers except as 
provided at Sec.  [thinsp]770.4.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  770.7, paragraph (d)(1) introductory text is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  770.7  Third-party certification.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) During transitional period. The transitional period is defined 
as the period beginning on December 12, 2016 and ending on March 22, 
2019. TPCs already approved by CARB and TPCs subsequently approved by 
CARB during the transitional period must apply for EPA recognition in 
accordance with Sec.  770.8 before they can certify any products under 
this part. Once recognized by EPA, CARB-approved TPCs become EPA TSCA 
Title VI TPCs and may certify composite wood products under TSCA Title 
VI until March 22, 2019, as long as they:
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  770.10, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  770.10  Formaldehyde emission standards.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, the emission 
standards in this section apply to composite wood products sold, 
supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured (including imported) on or 
after December 12, 2018 in the United States. These emission standards 
apply regardless of whether the composite wood product is in the form 
of a panel, a component part, or incorporated into a finished good.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  770.12, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  770.12  Stockpiling.

    (a) The sale of stockpiled inventory of composite wood products, 
whether in the form of panels or incorporated into component parts or 
finished goods, is prohibited after December 12, 2018.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  770.15, paragraph (a) and (e) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  770.15  Composite wood product certification.

    (a) Beginning December 12, 2018, only certified composite wood 
products, whether in the form of panels or incorporated into component 
parts or finished goods, are permitted to be sold, supplied, offered 
for sale, or manufactured (including imported) in the United States, 
unless the product is specifically exempted by this part.
* * * * *
    (e) If a product is certified by a CARB-approved TPC that is also 
recognized by EPA, the product will also be considered certified under 
TSCA Title VI until March 22, 2019 after which the TPC needs to comply 
with all the requirements of this part as an EPA TSCA Title VI TPC 
under Section 770.7(d) in order for the product to remain certified.
* * * * *

0
8. In Sec.  770.30, paragraphs (b) introductory text, (c), and (d) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  770.30  Importers, fabricators, distributors, and retailers.

* * * * *
    (b) Importers must demonstrate that they have taken reasonable 
precautions by maintaining, for three years, bills of lading, invoices, 
or comparable documents that include a written statement from the 
supplier that the composite wood products, component parts, or finished 
goods are TSCA Title VI compliant or were produced before December 12, 
2018 and by ensuring the following records are made available to EPA 
within 30 calendar days of request:
* * * * *
    (c) Fabricators, distributors, and retailers must demonstrate that 
they have taken reasonable precautions by obtaining bills of lading, 
invoices, or comparable documents that include a written statement from 
the supplier that the composite wood products, component parts, or 
finished goods are TSCA Title VI compliant or that the composite wood 
products were produced before December 12, 2018.
    (d) Beginning March 22, 2019, importers of articles that are 
regulated composite wood products, or articles that contain regulated 
composite wood products, must comply with the import certification 
regulations for ``Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures 
and Articles,'' as found at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127.
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2017-19455 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P