India is a major exporter of plywood, doors and wooden furniture to the US. Every composite wood product (hardwood plywood, MDF, thin MDF and particleboard), and every finished good that contains one, must meet the EPA’s TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards. Panels must be certified by an EPA-recognised Third-Party Certifier (TPC) and labelled, and importers must make a TSCA import certification at entry. Global Approbation helps Indian mills and furniture makers get certified and document their supply chain.
TSCA Title VI at a Glance
| Regulation | 40 CFR Part 770: Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products (EPA) |
|---|---|
| Emission limits | Hardwood plywood 0.05 ppm · MDF 0.11 ppm · thin MDF 0.13 ppm · particleboard 0.09 ppm |
| Certification | Panel producers certified by an EPA-recognised TPC, with quarterly testing and ongoing quality-control testing |
| Labelling | “TSCA Title VI compliant” labels on panels and on finished goods (or their boxes/bundles) |
| Import certification | Importers must certify TSCA compliance on customs entry documents |
| Records | Importers, fabricators and distributors keep records for at least 3 years |
| Reduced testing | Available for no-added formaldehyde (NAF) and ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resins, subject to approval |
Who Needs It
- Plywood and block board mills
- MDF and particleboard manufacturers
- Wooden furniture exporters
- Door, cabinet and kitchen manufacturers
- Flooring and laminate producers
- Handicraft and home décor exporters
- Picture frames, boxes and wooden gifts
- Fabricators using certified panels
How Global Approbation Handles TSCA Title VI
- Scope check. We confirm which of your products and components are regulated composite wood.
- TPC certification (mills). We coordinate with an EPA-recognised TPC: QC manual, primary testing, factory audit and quarterly testing.
- Supply-chain records (fabricators). Certified-panel sourcing documents, bills of lading and supplier declarations organised for 3-year retention.
- Labels. Compliant panel and finished-goods labels designed.
- Importer pack. Documents ready for your US importer’s TSCA import certification.
TSCA Title VI: Frequently Asked Questions
Does TSCA Title VI apply to finished furniture?
Yes. Finished goods containing regulated composite wood must use compliant, certified panels and be labelled, and importers must be able to show supporting records.
Is CARB Phase 2 still accepted?
TSCA Title VI is the federal standard, and TSCA Title VI labels have been required since March 2019. CARB certification alone isn’t enough for the US market.
Who can certify an Indian plywood mill?
Only an EPA-recognised Third-Party Certifier. They audit the mill, oversee testing and certify compliant products.
How long must records be kept?
At least three years, covering producer identity, production dates and supplier information, and they must be provided to EPA on request.
Regulations, standards and deadlines change. Scope, testing route and timelines are confirmed product by product after our applicability review. Global Approbation is a consultancy and does not itself issue certificates; approvals are granted by the relevant authority, accredited laboratory or certification body.