New Regulations for Composite Wood ProductsThe new Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations (CANFER) were introduced on January 7, 2023. These regulations are designed to protect Canadian consumers by limiting potential exposure to formaldehyde, which is sometimes released by some composite wood products. CANFER lays out emission limits for formaldehyde from composite wood products and prohibits the sale and import of composite wood products that exceed those emission limits.
If you import composite wood products, you will be responsible for making sure your products comply with the new limits. This means you will need to find out from your vendors whether their products release formaldehyde and in what quantities.
In addition, manufacturers, sellers and importers of composite wood products that release formaldehyde must contact Environment and Climate Change Canada before March 8 of this year and provide their name, contact information, and role (for example, importer). You can email the required information to formaldehyde@ec.gc.ca. If any of your information changes, you must report the update as well.
Importers will also be required to keep records of the regulated materials they import for a period of five years. The information you need to keep on record will depend on whether you import finished goods or panels. More information about record keeping requirements is available online here.
The full text of the regulations is available online, and most of the regulations are summarized in a guidance document as well. If you have questions about how CANFER will affect your business, you can contact Health Canada at formaldehyde-formaldehyde@hc-sc.gc.ca or get in touch with King Bros.
By Robin Smith, M.A., CCS
– Robin is a trade industry professional based in Victoria, BC.
The new Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations (CANFER) were introduced on January 7, 2023. These regulations are designed to protect Canadian consumers by limiting potential exposure to formaldehyde, which is sometimes released by some composite wood products. CANFER lays out emission limits for formaldehyde from composite wood products and prohibits the sale and import of composite wood products that exceed those emission limits.
If you import composite wood products, you will be responsible for making sure your products comply with the new limits. This means you will need to find out from your vendors whether their products release formaldehyde and in what quantities.
In addition, manufacturers, sellers and importers of composite wood products that release formaldehyde must contact Environment and Climate Change Canada before March 8 of this year and provide their name, contact information, and role (for example, importer). You can email the required information to formaldehyde@ec.gc.ca. If any of your information changes, you must report the update as well.
Importers will also be required to keep records of the regulated materials they import for a period of five years. The information you need to keep on record will depend on whether you import finished goods or panels. More information about record keeping requirements is available online here.
The full text of the regulations is available online, and most of the regulations are summarized in a guidance document as well. If you have questions about how CANFER will affect your business, you can contact Health Canada at formaldehyde-formaldehyde@hc-sc.gc.ca or get in touch with King Bros.
By Robin Smith, M.A., CCS
– Robin is a trade industry professional based in Victoria, BC.
