The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published on Feb. 11, a proposed rule to update the list of voluntary consensus standards that are used in the agency’s formaldehyde regulations for composite wood products, under Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), according to a News & Insights report by the RV Industry Association RVIA).
The proposal would incorporate the most current test methods used to measure formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, reflecting the latest versions issued by standards organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the International Standards Organization (ISO).
On Feb. 12, RVIA submitted comments supporting these updates to help ensure effective regulation of formaldehyde emissions while allowing RV manufacturers and suppliers to continue operating efficiently under a clear and consistent regulatory framework, the RVIA report continued.
Updating the rule to align with current technical standards promotes regulatory consistency and helps ensure that manufacturers and testing laboratories are using the most accurate and widely accepted methods available.
RVIA supports EPA’s proposal because RV manufacturing relies heavily on composite wood products such as plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard commonly used in cabinetry, flooring, and interior structures, the report stated. Ensuring that federal standards align with the latest testing protocols, which are already used by RV suppliers, helps stabilize supply chains and simplifies compliance across the industry, while maintaining strong health protections without imposing new regulatory burdens.
Overall, RVIA supports the EPA proposal because it:
- Updates regulations to reflect current scientific and technical standards
- Provides additional compliance flexibility through new testing methods
- Maintains existing health protections without tightening emission limits
- Reduces regulatory complexity by aligning federal requirements with existing industry practices
RVIA has historically been a strong supporter of formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products. In June 2008 and June 2009, the RV Industry Association Board of Directors voluntarily imposed a requirement that, as a condition of membership in the association, all member manufacturers must comply on a nationwide basis with the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) Phase I and Phase II formaldehyde emissions standards. Since then, the RV Industry Association continues to support the strengthening of formaldehyde emissions standards through Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
