Page 19 - LBMAO - Reporter Jan-Feb 2023 - web optimized

or those of us who grew up in the ’50s composite wood products covered by lumber) or if sold in bulk lots, on the
Fand ’60s we can remember the Health these regulations. However, it tends to outside of the lift. It is not clear if the
Canada initiative to remove asbestos result in higher formaldehyde emissions. retailer is required to identify the product
from buildings, shipping and vehicles To encourage the use of other resins that to the end user.
due to the health risks affiliated with emit less formaldehyde, the regulations The regulation will be implemented
this naturally mined product used as include reduced-frequency testing over a 5-year period as there are many
an insulator. Canada was then a major provisions for those products using steps that have to be put into place
producer, and it was identified that during reduced formaldehyde content. through the supply chain to meet
the mining process, installation and Manufacturers and importers are compliance. January 7, 2023 is the start
ingestion of asbestos fibres caused cancer required to have these laminated/ of this process and implementation will
and contributed to many thousands of composite products tested and labelled begin at the manufacturing level first.
deaths and illness. As a country, we no that they do not exceed the limits as Retailers for kitchen cabinets, vanities,
longer use asbestos and have limited defined in the regulation. Guidelines bookshelves and all types of sheet goods
mining capacity. on the testing processed and frequency will be required to follow the regulations.
We now have a new concern identified is on the Health Canada website. The A detailed technical document can be
by Health Canada in partnership with the compliance labels will include date of obtained from the Government of Canada:
U.S. Department of Health in the use of manufacture, resin information, lot no., formaldehyde-formaldehyde@hc-sc.
formaldehyde as an adhesive bonding testing results and depending on the gc.ca (Health Canada)
agent in the manufacturing process product other information may also be
used to make many products sold in the provided. Reports, data and contact information
home improvement sector in Canada. can be obtained from Environment and
Formaldehyde has been identified as a Climate Change Canada (ECCC):
carcinogenic gaseous substance when "Cabinetry, furniture, trim, formaldehyde@ec.gc.ca
used indoors. To mitigate the risk to GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON THE
humans, a maximum standard of the hardwood plywood, medium- FORMALDEHYDE EMISSIONS FROM
amount of formaldehyde that can be density fibreboard (MDF), COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS REG.
released into the air indoors has been
established for producers of products particleboard and laminated
containing formaldehyde. Starting products: these products will
January 7, 2023, the new Formaldehyde
Emissions from Composite Wood Products have to be tested and certified
Regulations1 (CANFER) prohibit the sale, at manufacturing to meet the
offer for sale, or import of composite
wood products that release formaldehyde minimum standard as set by
at levels that exceed the regulatory Health Canada..."
emission limits. Although the recent
document provided by Health Canada
is quite technical, all manufacturers,
distributors and retailers of the following Sellers (retailers) of these products are
products need to be aware of the new required to identify them upon receipt
regulation on the following products: into their business (manufacturing label
Cabinetry, furniture, trim, hardwood of declaration should be attached) and
plywood, medium-density fibreboard keep records up to 5 years on the receipt
(MDF), particleboard and laminated of these products. These records can be
products. These products will have to be kept electronically. It would appear from
tested and certified at manufacturing to the regulation that when receiving these
meet the minimum standard as set by products the retailer will have to identify
Health Canada and the products will have that they have been certified and record
to be labelled through the supply chain the date received into the business.
that they have been tested by a qualified The onus will be on manufacturers As depicted above, warning signs
3rd party testing agency. There are some and importers to ensure compliance are suggested identifying products that
exemptions (e.g. laminated flooring is and labelling of those products covered contain formaldehyde for consumer
covered with a veneer as well as kitchen under the regulation, however sellers will protection. Signage is not mandatory at
counters and cabinets that have a plastic have to be aware of their responsibility the present time.
or veneer surface would not require the to record receipt of the products. The
labelling). labeling will probably be in the format of
Urea formaldehyde is the most a stamp on each piece of product (similar
commonly used resin for manufacturing to the stamp to identify the grading of
www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2023 19