The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has expressed support for a proposed rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to update formaldehyde testing standards for composite wood products, citing the need for regulatory consistency and alignment with current industry practices.
The proposal, published February 11, seeks to revise the list of voluntary consensus standards used under Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The update would incorporate the latest test methods for measuring formaldehyde emissions, reflecting current versions established by standards organizations including the American National Standards Institute, ASTM International, and the International Organization for Standardization.
In comments submitted February 12, RVIA endorsed the changes, stating they would help ensure effective oversight of formaldehyde emissions while allowing manufacturers and suppliers to operate under a “clear and consistent regulatory framework.”
The association said updating the rule to align with current technical standards would promote consistency across the industry and ensure that manufacturers and testing laboratories use the most accurate and widely accepted methods available.
The issue is particularly relevant to RV manufacturers, which rely heavily on composite wood products such as plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard. These materials are commonly used in cabinetry, flooring, and interior structures within recreational vehicles.
Aligning federal standards with updated testing protocols already used by suppliers would help stabilize supply chains and simplify compliance requirements.
The group added that the proposal maintains existing health protections without introducing stricter emission limits or additional regulatory burdens.
According to a News and Insights report of RVIA, the association outlined several reasons for its support, including updating regulations to reflect current scientific standards, providing additional compliance flexibility through new testing methods, maintaining existing emission thresholds, and reducing regulatory complexity.
The association also noted its longstanding position on formaldehyde regulation. In June 2008 and June 2009, its board of directors adopted a requirement that all member manufacturers comply nationwide with the California Air Resources Board’s Phase I and Phase II formaldehyde emissions standards as a condition of membership.
Since then, RVIA has continued to support the development and strengthening of formaldehyde emission standards under the Toxic Substances Control Act.