SGS Consumer Testing Services’ Hong Kong testing laboratory has become the first third-party certifier for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in China, offering formaldehyde emission testing for local composite wood products manufacturers.
Achieving the status means the SGS laboratory in Hong Kong can offer testing to manufacturers to ensure that formaldehyde emissions are within the standards set out in California’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM).
This, SGS said, saves on the time and expense of having to send panels to the US for testing. SGS added it expects its Guangzhou laboratory to also achieve the status in the next month.
“Our acceptance as China’s first third-party certifier offers a fast, easy solution,” said Chuck Coletta, SGS technical director for international hardlines services.
“This will also have a ripple effect throughout the chain of custody by assisting all parties with becoming CARB-compliant – down to the retail level where enforcement is expected to take place.”
ATCM was adopted in 2008 to limit public exposure to formaldehyde. Composite wood panels were targeted because they comprise the largest block of controllable formaldehyde-emitting products, according to SGS.
