The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing additional guidance to laminated product producers and stakeholders on submitting petitions to request an exemption from the hardwood plywood formaldehyde emission standards and certain third-party certification requirements found in EPA's Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products rule. The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 established emission standards for formaldehyde emitted from composite wood products. EPA's 2016 Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products rule implemented provisions of the 2010 Act to reduce exposure to formaldehyde emissions from certain wood products produced in or imported into the United States. Requirements include provisions for product-testing, third-party certification, labeling, recordkeeping, and import certification. Unless exempted, beginning March 22, 2024, laminated product producers will be required to meet the requirements of EPA's final rule. The guidance released today includes the types of information about the laminated products and associated formaldehyde emissions that the Agency will review to make a determination on petitions for exemption. The guidance also describes elements of any sampling/test data submitted in support of the petition request. EPA will review each petition and, where appropriate, initiate a rulemaking based on the petition and seek public comment. Additional guidance on relevant information that could be included in a petition under 40 CFR 770.4(b) can be found in the preamble to the 2016 formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products final rule. | 
