--- title: "EPA Finalizes Formaldehyde Rule Regulating Composite Wood Flooring and Furniture" canonicalUrl: "https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/epa-finalizes-formaldehyde-rule-regulating-composite-wood-flooring-and-furniture/" excerpt: "When I hear the word formaldehyde, my mind drifts back to the specimens preserved in my middle school biology classroom.  But last week I was reminded that formaldehyde is used in many other applications, including in adhesives in composite wood flooring and furniture.  You might be wondering why an environmental law blog is concerned with your home furnishings, but stay with me. Because formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat and is a known carcinogen (which I am fairly certain my biology teacher did not disclose to me) and following the Lumber Liquidators investigation that revealed wood…
Read More" datePublished: "2016-08-05T15:27:01-04:00" dateModified: "2024-05-24T16:05:28-04:00" --- - EPA Finalizes Formaldehyde Rule Regulating Composite Wood Flooring and Furniture [Home](https://wyche.com/) » EPA Finalizes Formaldehyde Rule Regulating Composite Wood Flooring and Furniture [** Rita Bolt Barker](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) ** ** ** # EPA Finalizes Formaldehyde Rule Regulating Composite Wood Flooring and Furniture When I hear the word formaldehyde, my mind drifts back to the specimens preserved in my middle school biology classroom.  But last week I was reminded that formaldehyde is used in many other applications, including in adhesives in composite wood flooring and furniture.  You might be wondering why an environmental law blog is concerned with your home furnishings, but stay with me. Because formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat and is a known carcinogen (which I am fairly certain my biology teacher did not disclose to me) and following the [Lumber Liquidators investigation](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-harmful-formaldehyde-levels-in-lumber-liquidators-flooring/) that revealed wood flooring the company was selling contained elevated levels of the substance, on July 27, 2016, EPA finalized a [rule](https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standards-composite-wood-products-final-rule-prepublication-copy) governing formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products sold, manufactured or imported in the United States.  The rule: (a)    sets formaldehyde emissions limits, (b)    requires labeling of products as compliant with the Toxic Substances Control Act, (c)    sets testing requirements to ensure the products comply with standards, and (d)    establishes a third-party certification program to ensure compliance. If you would like to learn more about formaldehyde or the EPA’s new regulation, EPA has established a [website](https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde) with helpful information. [*](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) [## Rita Bolt Barker](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) Rita Bolt Barker is an experienced litigator and counselor, focusing primarily on environmental, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage matters. RELATED ARTICLES [](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/a-chance-meeting-in-prague-reveals-a-wyche-connection/) ### [A Chance Meeting in Prague Reveals a Wyche Connection](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/a-chance-meeting-in-prague-reveals-a-wyche-connection/) The world became a little smaller recently when former Wyche attorney John Simpkins and Bakala Foundation Executive Director Václav Pecha unexpectedly found themselves seated next [](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/wyche-helps-dorchester-county-advance-innovative-workforce-housing-policy/) ### [Wyche Helps Dorchester County Advance Innovative Workforce Housing Policy](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/wyche-helps-dorchester-county-advance-innovative-workforce-housing-policy/) Wyche played a central role in Dorchester County’s recent adoption of a workforce housing ordinance aimed at expanding attainable housing options for essential workers across [* View All](https://wyche.com/insights/news-stories/) ## Stay in Touch Join one our mailing lists and receive regular updates! [Subscribe to Updates](/subscription) ## Contact Us * * Send Message - [Our Philosophy](https://wyche.com/our-philosophy/) - [Unique Culture](https://wyche.com/our-unique-culture/) - [Client Service](https://wyche.com/wyche-difference/) - [Global Reach](https://wyche.com/global-reach/) - [Careers](https://wyche.com/careers/) - [Locations](https://wyche.com/locations) - [Centennial](https://wyche.com/wyche-100/) [Linkedin **](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wychepa/) [Facebook **](https://www.facebook.com/wychepa?ref=hl) [Instagram **](https://www.instagram.com/wychepa/)