Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Regulations

Current status: Closed

This consultation ran from June 17, 2023 to August 31, 2023.

The Government of Canada is seeking your comments on the proposed amendments to the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Regulations and the Directive concerning testing for formaldehyde emissions.

Background

The Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Regulations were published in July 2021 and came into force on January 7, 2023. The Regulations aim to reduce potential risks to the health of Canadians from exposure to formaldehyde by establishing limits on allowable formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. Following the publication of the final Regulations, stakeholders alerted the government to challenges related to quality control testing and the large record-keeping burden for downstream regulated parties, such as retailers.

Join in: how to participate

Share your ideas online

Use the online commenting feature that is available on the Canada Gazette website.

Send us an email

Send an email to formaldehyde@ec.gc.ca with your ideas or comments to make yourself heard.

Who is the focus of this consultation

All Canadians are invited to participate in this consultation. More specifically, we would like to hear from:

• manufacturers of composite wood products
• importers of composite wood products
• retailers of composite wood products

Key questions for discussion

The Government of Canada is seeking your input on the proposed amendments to the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Regulations. The proposed amendments have been developed to:

• clarify an accreditation requirement for laboratories conducting routine quality control formaldehyde emissions testing
• simplify record-keeping requirements along the composite wood products supply chain (additional minor amendments aim to provide clarification on issues brought forward by stakeholders)
• maintain the Regulations' close alignment and consistency with the United States TSCA Title VI Rule in order to reduce international trade barriers

Related information

• Formaldehyde web page
• Guidance document on the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations
• Guidance document: The role of third-party certifiers in certifying composite wood products under the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations

Contact us

Andrew Beck
Director, Risk Management Bureau, Safe Environments Directorate
Health Canada
269 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Email: formaldehyde-formaldehyde@hc-sc.gc.ca