(a) Current exemptions. The definition of the term “hardwood plywood” in § 770.3 does not include:

(1) Laminated products made by attaching a wood or woody grass veneer with a phenol-formaldehyde resin to a platform that has been manufactured in compliance with this part (including either certified in accordance with § 770.15, manufactured with no-added formaldehyde-based resins under § 770.17, or manufactured with ultra low-emitting formaldehyde-based resins under § 770.18).

(2) Laminated products made by attaching a wood or woody grass veneer with a resin formulated with no-added formaldehyde as part of the resin cross-linking structure to a platform that has been manufactured in compliance with this part (including either certified in accordance with § 770.15, manufactured with no-added formaldehyde-based resins under § 770.17, or manufactured with ultra low-emitting formaldehyde-based resins under § 770.18).

(b) Rulemaking petitions for exemption. (1) Any person may petition the Agency to initiate a rulemaking for additional exemptions for laminated products from the definition of the term “hardwood plywood,” pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 2697(a)(3)(C)(i)(I).

(2) Each petition should provide all available and relevant information, including studies conducted and formaldehyde emissions data. Submit petitions to: TSCA Confidential Business Information Center (7407M), WJC East; Room 6428; Attn: TSCA Title VI Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001.

(3) EPA will promptly review each submitted petition and, where appropriate, publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register based on the petition and provide a public comment period of generally 30 days before taking a final action.

[81 FR 89724, Dec. 12, 2016, as amended at 88 FR 10476, Feb. 21, 2023]