WISA plywood users may have noticed the recently added TSCA Title VI Compliant label on product packaging and shipping documents. The TSCA acronym stands for Toxic Substances Control Act, which regulates the manufacture, use and sale of chemicals in the United States. The TSCA Title VI of the Act specifically regulates formaldehyde emissions from wood-based materials. The aim is to reduce indoor exposure to formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory problems and other health hazards. Formaldehyde emissions can be caused, for example, by the adhesive used in plywood.
All UPM Plywood mills producing WISA plywood have been approved to the TSCA Title VI standard. Testing and certification have been carried out by an independent third-party certifier recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
"WISA plywood products are safe building materials that meet the requirements for clean and healthy indoor air. The TSCA Title VI Compliant label indicates that WISA products have been tested to have very low formaldehyde emissions and are suitable for use in all indoor environments used by humans," says Riku Härkönen, Product Manager, UPM Plywood.
"The TSCA Title VI Compliant label allows customers and distributors to use, process and sell WISA plywood products in the US market with confidence. Clear emission limits can be assigned to the products, and users can cite these in their own documentation, for example when handing over a building to the client."