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Ray Allegrezza

Plan now for emissions rule

When The National Weather Service attempted to warn residents in the path of Hurricane Ike about the imminent danger headed their way, the agency warned that if they did not evacuate, they could “face certain death.”
Strong words, but necessary when trying to convey a life-or-death situation.
With that in mind, I sit here trying to choose the right words that I hope will serve as a warning of another storm that will touch down in our back yard.
Earlier this year, I wrote a column warning readers about the ramifications from formaldehyde standards adopted in California and set to take hold on the first day of 2009. (Read earlier column)
The new rule, to be implemented in phases, will restrict formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products like plywood, particleboard and MDF, common components in furniture. Beginning Jan. 1, retailers in that state will have 18 months to clear their shelves of all non-compliant furniture.
Any California retailer found to be selling non-compliant furniture will be asked to stop selling those items, and non-compliance could result in fines.
Among the many challenges with this initiative is that to date, only a handful of facilities exist — either domestic or offshore — that are certified to test composite panels for formaldehyde levels.
In addition, while the regulations only apply to goods sold in California, most suppliers are not anxious to segment their production into California and non-California inventory.
Last week, an importer told me how one of his suppliers wanted a hefty price increase as a result. The importer said he would pay the increase provided the factory sent the proper certification.
This is the first time I’ve ever repeated a topic in my column. But this issue has the potential to make Hurricane Ike feel like a soft summer breeze.
I’m not an alarmist. But I am a realist who is telling you again that January will be here before you know it. I hope you have a plan in place for when the clock strikes midnight.