NEWS

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.

What is the largest U.S. national forest? Just how big is it?

Answer: Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is the largest U.S. national forest at 17 million acres.

PHOTO © BROCK MARTIN, USFS

Read more: Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the U.S.! →

In a win for U.S. kitchen cabinet manufacturers, the U.S. Court of International Trade remanded in part and sustained in part the negative evasion determination by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Chinese cabinets transshipped through Malaysia. Now, U.S. Customs must revisit its determination and take into account evidence of evasion.

PHOTO © GLENN FAWCETT, USCBP

After a tense few days in late December, the administration signed a continuing resolution to fund the U.S. government through March 14 that included a one-year extension of the farm bill. A key component of the farm bill is the funding of export promotion programs, including the international marketing activities of the American Hardwood Export Council.

PHOTO © AHEC

On January 2, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the formaldehyde risk evaluation. EPA stated that formaldehyde presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use. EPA did not identify risk to the general population from wood products regulated under TSCA Title VI. However, EPA's conclusions about occupational exposure to formaldehyde remain problematic.