NEWS

On February 21, the EPA opened comments on their proposed rule on formaldehyde emissions standards for composite wood products, including updates to voluntary consensus standards like DHA's American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood (ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2020).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants your input on the proposed Inflation Reduction Act programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new programs, made possible by $350 million in funding, are designed to identify lower greenhouse gas construction materials and will support $2.1 billion in spending on building products with lower carbon. DHA staff will participate and likely comment to advocate that the climate benefits of wood products are recognized.

The Hardwood Federation, including DHA members, will host our 2023 legislative fly-in on June 13-15 to meet with policymakers to discuss legislation and issues affecting our industry, beginning with the forest provisions in the farm bill.

Resource:

In 2022, U.S. imports of multilayered wood flooring rose by more than 11% in value to more than $1.3 billion and 7% in volume to more than 761 million square feet. These strong increases follow growth of more than 31% percent in volume in 2021. Imports from Vietnam increased by nearly one-third.

Resource:

In the second half of 2022, U.S. imports of hardwood plywood slowed dramatically from the torrid pace in the first half of the year. In the first six months of 2022, imports soared by 77% in value and 37% in volume; the year ended with total growth of 12% in value, to about $2.1 billion, and a decline of 0.3% in volume. Imports from Russia fell by 34% in volume. Imports from Vietnam slowed, ending the year up by 14% in volume after starting the first half up by 93%.