Forward Regulatory Plan 2019-2021: Proposed Formaldehyde Emissions from a Composite Wood Products Regulations

Title of Regulatory Initiative

Proposed Formaldehyde Emissions from a Composite Wood Product Regulations

Enabling Act

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Description

The proposed regulations would address the adverse health impacts of formaldehyde in indoor air by regulating formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or imported in Canada.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The proposed regulations are not part of a formal Regulatory Cooperation agreement; however, many elements of the proposed regulations are aligned with the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule pursuant to Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act of the United States.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations would impose requirements on the composite wood products sector.

There are expected impacts on industry involved in international trade, however, these are anticipated to be minimal as most trading industries in the composite wood sector are currently complying with similar regulations in the United States.

Consultations

A Notice of Intent was published on March 18, 2017 in the Canada Gazette, Part I, followed by a 60 day public comment period.

A consultation document was published on the CEPA Environmental Registry on July 31, 2017 followed by a public comment period that ended on September 1, 2017.

A multi-stakeholder workshop was held on September 6, 2017, which was preceded by an online pre-consultation engagement.

Canadians will have the opportunity to provide comments on the regulatory proposal during the Canada Gazette, Part I public comment period, which started on June 29, 2019 and will last 75 days. This coincides with the publication of official test methods, which detail technical requirements as set out in the proposed regulations.

Further information

• Related information can be found on the Government of Canada's Formaldehyde webpage.
• Additional information can be requested from the Departmental contact.

Departmental contact information

Andrew Beck
Director
Risk Management Bureau
Safe Environments Directorate
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada

Telephone number: 613-948-2585
Email address: andrew.beck@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

April 1, 2017