NEWS

This week, the House Rules Committee advanced a bipartisan bill, the Standardized Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, designed to speed up the federal permitting process. This bill would streamline environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It includes provisions to limit when federal agencies can revisit or undo prior environmental reviews and federal authorizations. 

After reviewing comments made during the scientific peer review process, the Environmental Protection Agency released a revised draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde emissions under TSCA and requested additional comments. The draft evaluation contains significant changes, including that worker inhalation no longer contributes to unreasonable risk in wood products manufacturing.

PHOTO © CAPITAL TESTING

On November 26, the European Parliament approved the delay in enforcing the EU Deforestation Regulation. On December 4, the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement. The European Parliament is expected to ratify the EUDR delay this week. Once ratified, enforcement will begin on December 30, 2026, for large companies and June 30, 2027, for small businesses.

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV: EUDR Extension Moves Forward | EPA Publishes Revised Draft Risk Evaluation For Formaldehyde | Expedited Permitting Legislation Advances | Cabinet Manufacturers Testify To Strengthen USMCA |

Just how much water is in the average hardwood tree? What exactly do hardwood trees do in the winter to prevent freezing?

Answer: Water comprises nearly 80% of tree material. One of the ways trees prevent freezing is by changing their membranes to allow water to migrate out of cells and into the spaces between cells.