§ 770.20 Testing requirements.
(a) General requirements. (1) All panels must be tested prior to the application of a finishing or topcoat. Conditioning of panels for testing must start as soon as possible after panel production, but no later than 30 calendar days after the panels were produced.
(2) Facilities that conduct the formaldehyde testing required by this section must follow the procedures and specifications, such as testing conditions and loading ratios, of the test method being used.
(3) All equipment used in the formaldehyde testing required by this section must be calibrated and otherwise maintained and used in accordance with the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
(b) Quality control testing—(1) Allowable methods. Quality control testing must be performed using any of the following methods, with a showing of correlation for each method pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) ASTM D6007–14 (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(ii) ASTM D5582–14 (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(iii) BS EN ISO 12460–3:2020 (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99) or ISO 12460–3:2020(E) (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(iv) DMC 2007 User's Manual (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(v) DMC 2012 GP User's Manual (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(vi) BS EN ISO 12460–5:2015 E (Perforator Method) (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(vii) JIS A 1460:2021(E) (24-hr Desiccator Method) (incorporated by reference, see § 770.99).
(2) Frequency of testing. (i) Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard must be tested at least once per shift (eight or twelve hours, plus or minus one hour of production) for each production line for each product type. Quality control tests must also be conducted whenever:
(A) A product type production ends, even if eight hours of production has not been reached;
(B) The resin formulation is changed so that the formaldehyde to urea ratio is increased;
(C) There is an increase by more than ten percent in the amount of formaldehyde resin used, by square foot or by panel;
(D) There is a decrease in the designated press time by more than 20%; or
(E) The quality control manager or quality control employee has reason to believe that the panel being produced may not meet the requirements of the applicable standards.
(ii) Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard panel producers are eligible for reduced quality control testing if they demonstrate consistent operations and low variability of test values.
(A) To qualify, panel producers must:
(1) Apply in writing to an EPA TSCA Title VI TPC; and
(2) Maintain a 30 panel running average.
(B) With respect to reduced quality control testing, EPA TSCA Title VI TPCs:
(1) May approve a reduction to one quality control test per 24-hour production period if the 30 panel running average remains two standard deviations below the designated QCL for the previous 60 consecutive calendar days or more;
(2) May approve a reduction to one quality control test per 48-hour production period if the 30 panel running average remains three standard deviations below the designated QCL for the previous 60 consecutive calendar days or more;
(3) Will approve a request for reduced quality control testing as long as the data submitted by the panel producer demonstrate compliance with the criteria and the EPA TSCA Title VI TPC does not otherwise have reason to believe that the data are inaccurate or the panel producer's production processes are inadequate to ensure continued compliance with the emission standards; and
(4) Will revoke approval for reduced quality control testing if testing or inspections indicate a panel producer no longer demonstrates consistent operations and low variability of test values.