Engineered Wood Journal - Spring 2009 - (Page 23) rules by virtue of their low emissions. Member products also meet or are exempt from the world’s other leading formaldehyde emission standards and regulations—facts that are highlighted in an APA document developed last year. However, because the issue is often subject to media distortion and public confusion and has now also come under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review, the APA staff and member advisory committees continue to work on additional possible courses of action. One such course might be including formaldehyde emissions provisions in industry consensus standards, an approach under consideration by the PS 1 and PS 2 industry standards standing committees. APA, in addition, has conducted tests and issued market alerts regarding the high formaldehyde emissions levels of some imported panel products, particularly from China. APA also is developing a list of forest certification programs used by member companies as an additional means of documenting the environmental merits of APA member products. What of the future? With continued marketplace education about the products’ numerous advantages—consistent quality, specialized performance attributes, reliable supply, low formaldedhyde emissions, green properties and costeffectiveness compared with competing materials—the potential for market share growth appears promising. The main challenge at present is the economy. APA’s latest forecast is for industrial market demand for structural wood panels to decline again this year as the economy struggles to regain momentum. Next year and succeeding years, however, are expected to show renewed growth, maintaining the industrial market as an important end-use for structural wood panels. ● Jack Merry (jack.merry@apawood.org) is industry communications director at APA. Engineered Wood Journal • Spring 2009 23 http://www.stantec.com http://www.BioReaction.com
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