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The Biden administration continued its regulatory onslaught on March 15 with EPA's release of a new formaldehyde risk evaluation. EPA is rushing to finalize the risk evaluation in 2024 while under the current administration. The risk evaluation would be followed by new regulations on wood products, workplaces, and many other industries in 2026. DHA is collaborating with industry allies on a detailed response.

The EU Deforestation Regulation, widely viewed as unworkable, continues to get a lot of attention in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. wood products industry has asked the U.S. government to help address its concerns with the EU. Deforestation isn’t a problem in the U.S., as U.S. forests are growing. The American Hardwood Export Council issued a trade alert and is working on a plan to address the new regulations. AHEC will be speaking about the status of these efforts at DHA’s Annual Meeting. I encourage all DHA members to join us there.

If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association