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 What is CARB?
CARB stands for the California Air Resources Board, a "clean air agency" established by California's
Legislature to attain and maintain healthy air quality as well as conduct research into the causes of
and solutions to air pollution. On April 26, 2007, the CARB approved an Airborne Toxic Control
Measure (ATCM) which aims at reducing formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
What is ATCM?
The ATCM issues new standard to govern formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products
including hardwood plywood (HWPW), particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), thin
medium density fiberboard, and also furniture and other finished products made with such composite
wood products. The ATCM was approved on April 18, 2008, by the Office of Administrative Law. The
regulation has been filed with the Secretary of State to be codified into Title 17 of the California Code
of Regulations, and the formaldehyde emission standard is immediately effective.
Why ATCM?
There were problems arising from trailers made from composite wood provided by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to residents displaced by the Iowa floods in 2008 in the United
States. After moving into the trailers for a couple of months, occupants reported violent coughing,
headaches, as well as asthma, bronchitis, and other health problems. Tests showed that in some
trailers, levels of formaldehyde exceeded the limits recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and American Lung Association. This associated publicity resulted in additional requirements
on composite wood products.
What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde can be emitted into the air from composite wood products. One of the possible
sources of formaldehyde emssion is from the urea-formaldehyde resin which is commonly used in
permanent adhesives such as those used in composite wood products. Formaldehyde is classified as
a human carcinogen and has been linked to nasal and lung cancer, with possible links to brain
cancer and leukemia. Shortterm exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can be fatal. Long-term
exposure to low levels of formaldehyde may cause respiratory difficulty, eczema, sensitization, as
well as aggravating asthma symptoms.
The Challenge
The ATCM places different roles and obligations to panel manufacturers, distributors, importers,
fabricators, as well as retailers.
The ATCM regulation consists of two phases of emission standards, and requires
good documentation control on the production quality management and formaldehyde emission
standard compliance. To ensure compliance with the ATCM, panel manufacturers must be "third party
certified" using a third party certifier (TPC) such as Intertek approved by the CARB. This involves
independent emission testing of panels and factory audit of the manufacturing processes for
manufacturers that sell or supply products to California.
The ATCM will be enforced by the CARB or local air district personnel. Enforcement activities include
facility inspections, auditing of records, and securing samples for compliance testing.
Certification Process
To ensure compliance with the ATCM, panel manufacturers must be "third party certified" using a
third party certifier (TPC) such as Intertek approved by the CARB. The certification process includes
initial plant audit and quarterly plant audit.
Initial Plant Audit Stage
1. Testing on Formaldehyde Emission
2. Establish Quality Control Limit
3. Qualify Factory Quality Control personnel
4. Review Quality Control Manual
5. Quality System Audit
6. Issue Certificate
Quarterly Plant Audit Stage
1. Testing on Formaldehyde Emission
2. Quality System Audit
Our Solution
Intertek is a leading independent third-party testing and inspection services provider and a CARB approved
Third Party Certifier (TPC) qualified to perform an extensive range of services including
factory audits, and formaldehyde testing for manufacturers seeking ATCM compliance. Our global
network and multiple CARB approved locations cater to every part of the world and provides
convenience no matter where you are.
Intertek Services
1. Formaldehyde emission testing on wood panel and finished goods
2. Establish Quality Control Limit
3. Qualify Factory Quality Control personnel
4. Review Quality Control Manual
5. Plant Audit
6. Labeling review for Manufacturers and Fabricators
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