One of the Composite Panel Association's (CPA) primary objectives is to advocate for public policies that align with those of the composite panel industry, and to do so in a credible, effective way. CPA actively represents industry with the U.S. and Canada. In many cases CPA has initiated or led these advocacy efforts, while in others CPA has joined one or more coalitions.
The most significant advocacy efforts are described below.
EPA Formaldehyde Rules: Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act
The US Environmental Protection Agency published the proposed rulemaking for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. The 2010 law, which created Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), has finally been released for public comment. MORE INFO
Product Emissions
CPA has a longstanding reputation as the leading and most effective industry advocate on standards and regulations pertaining to emissions from composite panel products, particularly those related to formaldehyde-based adhesives.
The association sponsors all ANSI standards related to particleboard, MDF, hardboard and engineered wood siding & trim, as well as CPA’s Eco-Certified CompositeTM sustainability standard and certification program, all of which address product emissions and impose stringent and verifiable requirements.
The US federal formaldehyde law, along with California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measure are the two chief regulations affecting product emissions in the U.S. These have effectively become worldwide standards. MORE INFO
Wood Fiber
Wood fiber is the feedstock of composite panel products, and free market access to wood fiber is the chief public policy priority of the CPA.
CPA has consistently pressed for governmental policies in the US and Canada that expand energy alternatives and promote the use of renewable biomass without harming existing industries that already rely on the underlying wood fiber as their primary feedstock.
This feedstock, sometimes referred to as “higher value” wood fiber, makes possible millions of domestic jobs in the wood products, landscaping/nursery and other industries, as well as to the use of wood as a renewable, environmentally beneficial resource.
CPA believes federal and state alternative energy policies must be balanced against both economic (jobs) and environmental considerations. Specifically, government subsidies or other incentives should not be used to distort the free market, nor to jeopardize longstanding, vital industries and domestically-made consumer products. MORE INFO
Workplace Safety
Ensuring that there are appropriate regulations to protect the safety of employees in the workplace, as well as that of the general public, is a high priority of the CPA.
For decades the association has sponsored the collection of US and Canadian industry safety related performance data and has recognized facility-specific safety accomplishments as well as workplace innovations.
CPA has also been one of the most knowledgeable and effective interveners with the US Environmental Protection Agency (ERPA) on its Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) regulations as these bear on “smokestack” emissions and both workplace and community safety. Most recently, the CPA has intervened on the Boiler MACT to modify EPA’s initial mischaracterization of resinated fiber burned for fuel in industry facilities.
The association also participates in forums and regulatory processes related to wood dust, occupational exposure limits in the workplace, and other issues that relate to employee and public safety.
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