The Eco-Certified Composite Standard (ECCS) was developed by the Composite Panel Association (CPA) to provide an independent certification program that identifies composite panel manufacturers who adhere to environmentally responsible practices. The ECCS replaces the widely used Environmentally Preferred Product Standard (EPP) with more stringent requirements and annual on-site audits. Compliance is voluntary and open to all composite panel manufacturers. Certification may be applied to all grades of medium density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard and other composite wood panels. Products produced by certified manufacturing plants and meeting the ECCS are awarded the Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) Grademark.
ECC Grademark Certificate
ECC Criteria
The ECCS is applied to individual manufacturing plants, and a CPA representative must document compliance annually at each facility. Temple-Inland's MDF manufacturing plant has been certified and awarded the ECC Grademark. Manufacturers are required to notify the CPA if their qualifying circumstances change between audits.
For products to receive the ECC Grademark, they must first meet the rigid California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 formaldehyde emissions regulation. In addition, each manufacturing plant must meet at least three of the following five criteria:
- Carbon Footprint – Using the CPA-supplied carbon calculator, the facility must demonstrate that the carbon store values of the panels produced offset their carbon footprint. Temple-Inland's UltraStock plant meets this standard.
- Local and Renewable Resources – At least 85% of the wood fiber is sourced within 250 miles of the manufacturing facility. Temple-Inland's UltraStock plant meets this standard.
- Recycled and/or Recovered Wood Fiber – A minimum of 75% of the wood fiber source (on a dry-weight basis) qualifies as recycled or recovered; or, at least 50% is recycled or recovered and a minimum of 5% of that is post-consumer wood fiber. Temple-Inland's UltraStock plant meets this standard.
- Sustainability – At least 97% of the incoming wood fiber, by weight, is used to manufacture panels or it is re-utilized as a valued product and not discarded as waste. Temple-Inland's UltraStock plant meets this standard.
- Responsible Wood Sourcing – Facilities must adhere to an environmentally sound wood sourcing standard with a documented program that conforms to the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®) Controlled Wood Standard (2008), the FSC Chain of Custody Standard (2008), or the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing Requirements (2011). Temple-Inland's UltraStock plant meets this standard.
Because the ECCS is the most stringent standard currently available to composite panel manufacturers, our UltraStock products that bear the ECC Grademark affirm our commitment to advancing sustainability and environmental responsibility. The ECCS provides MDF buyers with a quantifiable measure which may be used to compare the environmental advantages they can expect to realize from incorporating UltraStock into their processes and products.
Learn more about the CPA and other certifiers.