On April 26, 2007, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) enacted a new state legislation which limits acceptable formaldehyde emissions in laminate flooring and other wood composite products.

Formaldehyde is naturally occurring in all wood products in small levels, however, many laminate flooring manufacturers use additional formaldehyde in binders, adhesives, and other materials used to make their floors. CARB was created by California’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the main goal of reducing human exposure to all toxic air contaminants (TACs). With the new emission regulations set forth by CARB, acceptable formaldehyde emissions in laminate flooring and other wood composite products has been significantly reduced.

The formaldehyde emission limits set forth by this legislation are being implemented in stages, which started on January 1, 2009 and will be fully implemented by 2012.

For information on these formaldehyde emission limits and how they apply to laminate flooring, visit CARB’s page on composite wood products.