On June 17, 2023, Canada has proposed to amend SOR/2021-148 (Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Regulations) and initiated a consultation on its proposed revisions, Comments are accepted until August 31, 2023, and it will become effective on the 90th day after the day on which they are issued in Canada Gazette, Part II.

The proposed amendment to the regulation will further align its requirements with changes to the United States (U.S.) Toxic Substances Control Act Title VI (TSCA Title VI). The highlights are:

1. Removing the accreditation requirement for laboratories conducting routine quality control formaldehyde emissions testing.
2. Clarify record-keeping requirements (languages of declaration of certification, remove third-party certifier contact person from declaration, etc.) for finished goods along the composite wood products supply chain.
3. Maintain the Regulations’ close alignment with TSCA Title VI in order to minimize international trade barriers.
4. Make minor amendments to provide clarification on issues brought forward by stakeholders.