NEWS

DHA supports the Forest Resources Association's comments on the Department of Labor's proposed rule for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The nearly 400-page rule would provide a burdensome national standard for employers to address heat-related illness in the workplace. FRA urged the agency to allow states to develop heat standards that are more appropriate for their region.
 

USDA announced that it will withdraw the National Old Growth Amendment Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS would have amended federal forest management plans to provide directions on preserving older and old-growth forests across the national forest system. The withdrawal of the EIS is a significant victory for the forest industry, as it would have slowed timber management on federal lands until forest plans were revised.

In 2024, the value of hardwood plywood imports rose by nearly 15% through November. The value of imports from Vietnam soared by nearly 42% and from Indonesia by more than 17%. The total volume of imports into the U.S. remained flat, but imports from Vietnam were up by nearly 63% and imports from Indonesia rose by 21%.

The Wall Street Journal reported that there will be no new tariffs imposed on the first days of the new administration. Instead, in an executive order, President Trump directed federal agencies to evaluate trade policies and economic relationships with China, Canada, and other countries. He also directed federal agencies to address U.S. trade deficits and confront what he called unfair trade and currency policies by other countries.

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVIII, Issue I: Chinese Cabinets Rerouted To Evade Duties | Hardwood Federation Raises Concerns About Trade War | EPA Finalizes Formaldehyde Risk Evaluation | Court Rebukes U.S.