   
  
G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.4/Add.2  
 
22 February 2023  
(23-1263) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  22 February 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title:  Voluntary Consensus Standards Update; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite 
Wood Products  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[ ] Comment period changed - date:   
[ ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[X] Notified measure published - date: 21 February 2023  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 23 March 2023  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-02-21/html/2 023-03444.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-02-21/pdf/2023 -03444.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/USA/final_measure/23_1268_00_
e.pdf 
[ ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[ ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  and text available from1:  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[ ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[ ] Other:  
 
Description:  TITLE: Voluntary Consensus Standards Update; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for 
Composite Wood Products  
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  
ACTION: Final rule  
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing a final rule to update the 
incorporation by reference of several voluntary consensus standards in the Agency's formaldehyde 
standards for composite wood products regulations  under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)  
that have since been updated, superseded, or withdrawn by the issuing organizations. In addition, 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final /modified  measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.4/Add.2  
 
- 2 - 
 
  EPA is taking final action to reflect its interpretation that remote inspections by third -party certifiers 
(TPCs) are allowed  in certain circumstances in the event of unsafe conditions such as the on -going 
COVID -19 pandemic or other unsafe conditions such as natural disasters, outbreaks, political unrest, 
and epidemics. Finally, EPA is making certain technical corrections and co nforming changes including 
updating standards within the definitions section, clarifying language as it relates to production, and 
creating greater flexibilities for the third -party certification process.  
DATES: This final rule is effective on 23 March 202 3. The incorporation by reference of certain 
material listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 23 March 2023. 
The incorporation by reference of certain other material listed in the rule was approved by the 
Director of th e Federal Register on 10 February 2017, and 7 February 2018.  
This final rule and previous actions related to G/TBT/N/USA/827/Rev.4  are identified by Docket 
Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0245. The Docket Folder is available from Regulations.gov at 
https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA -HQ-OPPT-2017-0245/document  and provides access to 
primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible 
from Regulations.gov  by searching the Docket Number.  
__________  
 
 