NEWS

New legislation will go into effect as early as March or April that allows only oak lumber with "at least 2.5 cm of the outer sapwood removed" into the EU. The new requirement appears to be in response to the increased risk of two-lined chestnut borer infestation in U.S. shipments of oak. According to the American Hardwood Export Council, veneer is exempt.

Nearly 200 organizations in our industry, including the Hardwood Federation, signed a letter to the EPA to advocate for modernizing the treatment of woody biomass under the national Renewable Fuel Standard so that liquid fuels derived from forest biomass could qualify under the mandate. This would provide an additional market for residuals.

In his recent article in Surface & Panel Magazine, DHA President Keith Christman outlines how trade policy brought numerous changes to our industry in 2025. We expect that additional policy changes and a critical trade case will lead to even more substantial changes in 2026 and, hopefully, dramatically reduce the presence of dumped and subsidized hardwood plywood in U.S. markets.

PHOTO © JERRY GLASER USCBP

DHA officially commended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its rigorous and transparent reassessment of formaldehyde risks in the agency's updated draft risk calculation. DHA supports EPA's revision of its formaldehyde inhalation risk evaluation to reflect the best available science, directly address recommendations from scientific peer reviewers, and align with the statutory mandates of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XIX, Issue III: DHA Supports EPA's Updated Formaldehyde Risk Calculation | DHA President Outlines Trade Policy In Surface & Panel | New EU Phytosanitary Requirements For Oak Lumber | Vietnam's Wood Products Exports Reach A Record $17 Billion | Make Your Voice Heard: