Columbia reaches CARB Phase 2 certification

Plywood complies with formaldehyde limit

Heath Combs -- Furniture Today, September 30, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Industry supplier Columbia Forest Products said it is producing California Air Resources Board Phase 2 certified board with its formaldehyde-free PureBond Veneer Core Hardwood Plywood.

The Phase 2 requirements begin for manufacturers of hardwood plywood with a veneer core starting in January 2010.

The furniture industry has expressed frustration, at least with overseas sources, with meeting the first phase of the new regulation, which begins for manufacturers of composite panel in January 2009.

Furniture retailers in California will be required to carry only products containing compliant board starting in July 2010. The rules are aimed at protecting state residents from formaldehyde emissions deemed to be a health risk.

The Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Assn., an approved third-party certifier for board manufacturers as required under CARB, informed Columbia that its seven North American plywood mills were certified to produce panels that are compliant with the CARB formaldehyde standard, a .05 parts per million emission limit.

"It gives Columbia's customers peace of mind, knowing that the veneer core panels they purchase from now on will satisfy the CARB requirements at any time - even after the emission limits tighten up for Phase 2," said Todd Vogelsinger, the company's director of marketing.

Columbia said its packaging and paperwork will be modified to include the certification information for customers who need to document the use of CARB-compliant panels, in keeping with California guidelines.