US furniture makers are concerned that changes to California’s rules on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood panels, to be phased in from next January, will create chaos among their suppliers.
The new law will require paperwork to be kept throughout the supply chain – from manufacturers of hardwood plywood, particleboard and MDF, to distributors, to manufacturers
globally, to retailers in California.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will enforce the law and approved third-party certifiers will be required to verify that composite panel makers are complying with the standard.
State officials will audit the paperwork and possible fines range from US$1,000 to US$10,000 per day per violation.
Some furniture makers believe the lack of certified testers could create chaos in the industry, while others argue the rules could overwhelm the supply chain in Southeast Asia, possibly leading to a restriction in the supply of composite panels.