Reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Emissions in the Wood Furniture Manufacturing Sector 

In Quebec, the furniture-making industry comprises more than 200 manufacturers. The wood furniture manufacturing sector is comprised of wood furniture, kitchen cabinets and caskets.

Environment Canada held consultations with industry, non governmental organisations and federal, provincial and municipal governments with the objective of reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from coating applications of the wood finishing industry. Following consultations, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) published the Guidelines for the Reduction of VOC Emissions in the Wood Furniture Manufacturing Sector.

These Guidelines provide a basis for provincial and regional governments in developing management instruments – either regulatory or non-regulatory – to achieve VOC emission reduction objectives. The Guidelines contain a product standard with VOC content limits for coating products, an application equipment standard, a code of practice which includes record keeping and reporting requirements, and an operating standard for new and expanded facilities.