Decorative Hardwoods Assn. promotes natural beauty of hardwood products in Surface and Panel; organization joins allies opposing EPA's IRIS formaldehyde assessment, addresses EUDR compliance challenges

This Week's Insights

DHA continues to promote the natural beauty of decorative hardwood products. The latest example is in Surface and Panel, where we discuss biophilia and how natural, beautiful hardwood products can help connect us to nature and why this is important.

Regulatory overreach continues with EPA's recent release of its final IRIS risk assessment of formaldehyde. This assessment served as the starting point for regulatory proposals released earlier this year under TSCA, the Toxic Substances Control Act. DHA recently joined allies in a letter to members of Congress opposing the use of IRIS risk assessments in regulatory determinations. IRIS has never been authorized by Congress.

Unfortunately, companies that export to Europe are running out of time when it comes to complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The American Hardwood Export Council has been focused on this issue for more than a year, now, and many organizations, including DHA, have joined AHEC in advocating to change or postpone the regulations. The latest AHEC European Market Report provides an update on these efforts.

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


Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association