Coffee Table Certification Marks: FSC, CARB, and TSCA Explained

Why certification marks matter

Certification marks are easy to confuse because they answer different questions. On a coffee table, the marks you are most likely to see relate either to formaldehyde emissions or to wood sourcing. A manufacturer certification, or the stamp printed on a panel or finished product, is a way for the maker to show that the table was built to a specific standard. The same table can carry more than one mark, and each mark should be read separately.

For most manufactured tables, the most practical labels relate to formaldehyde emissions from composite wood. EPA's national rule covers hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard, as well as household and other finished goods containing those products. A coffee table with an MDF top, a particleboard shelf, or a plywood drawer box is the type of finished good the rule covers.

EPA worked with the California Air Resources Board to make the national rule consistent with California's requirements for similar composite wood products. The rule also created a third-party certification program for laboratory testing and oversight of formaldehyde emissions. So a compliant label means an approved third-party certifier has reviewed the panel, not just that the factory made a claim.

• Hardwood plywood
• Medium-density fiberboard
• Particleboard

TSCA Title VI and CARB Phase 2: what the labels mean

Two labels show up on coffee tables: CARB ATCM Phase II and TSCA Title VI. CARB is the California Air Resources Board, and ATCM means Airborne Toxic Control Measures. TSCA Title VI is the label used for the national EPA rule. EPA aligned its rule with CARB's requirements, and the two emission standards are set at identical levels.

The timeline matters if you are checking a table that has been in stock for a while. From June 1, 2018, through March 22, 2019, regulated composite wood products sold in the United States could be labeled CARB ATCM Phase II or TSCA Title VI. After March 22, 2019, regulated products manufactured in or imported into the United States must be certified and labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant. If a table is new stock and only carries a CARB Phase II label, ask the seller for the TSCA Title VI label or a written compliance statement.

FSC and other wood sourcing marks

FSC is the best known forest certification mark, and you will sometimes see it on wood coffee tables or on components such as certified hardwood plywood. Read it as a sourcing claim rather than an emissions claim. An FSC mark is meant to show that the wood was harvested and handled according to the certifier's standards, but it does not tell you whether a composite panel meets TSCA Title VI.

If sourcing matters to you, ask the manufacturer which forest certification scheme applies to the table and how to look up the certificate. Keep that request separate from the formaldehyde question. A table can have certified wood and still contain composite panels that need a TSCA Title VI label. For practical buying, compare materials before you compare finishes; see coffee table material comparison and solid wood vs. veneer.

How to verify a certification

To verify a certification, start with the physical product. EPA requires regulated composite wood panels and finished goods to be labeled. Look on the underside of the table, inside a drawer, or on the back edge of a shelf for a stamp or printed label that says TSCA Title VI compliant. For a table sold online, ask the seller for a photograph of the label or a written compliance statement before you complete the purchase.

The national rule includes labeling, recordkeeping, and import certification provisions, so a manufacturer or importer should have documentation behind the label. If the seller cannot produce it, treat the missing label as a reason to keep looking. When the table arrives, check the label again during your arrival inspection.

Recalls and safety checks

A certification label is not a product safety rating. The CPSC publishes recall and product safety warning information for household products, including furniture. Before buying, search the CPSC recall page for the brand and model. If a recall is announced after you own the table, check the instructions from the notice immediately.

Physical safety also depends on how the table is used. CPSC's Anchor It campaign says anchoring furniture with drawers, doors, and shelves to the wall prevents tip-over injuries and deaths. A storage coffee table with a lift top, drawers, or shelves is the type of piece that should be anchored in a home with young children. The same principle applies to taller storage pieces nearby. See coffee table safety tips for the rest of the safety list.

Use certifications as a filter

Use certifications as a filter, then move on to the buying criteria that affect daily use. For a table with composite parts, TSCA Title VI matters. For a solid wood table, wood type, joinery, and finish may matter more. For a storage table, the drawer mechanism, shelf spacing, and hinge quality matter too. Start with a buying guide that matches the construction you want: wood coffee tables, coffee tables with storage, or lift-top coffee tables with storage.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do all coffee tables need a formaldehyde certification?

No. The EPA rule covers hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard, plus finished goods containing them. A coffee table made only of solid wood with no composite panels is not covered. Many coffee tables, however, use MDF or particleboard for a shelf, drawer box, or cabinet panel, and those parts are regulated. Check the construction and look for the TSCA Title VI label on any composite part.

What is the difference between CARB Phase 2 and TSCA Title VI?

CARB ATCM Phase II was developed by the California Air Resources Board. TSCA Title VI is the national EPA standard. EPA says the two emission standards are set at identical levels. Regulated products could use either label until March 22, 2019. After that date, composite wood products manufactured in or imported into the United States must be certified and labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant.

Does an FSC mark mean the table is low-formaldehyde?

No. FSC is a forest certification mark that relates to wood sourcing. It is not an emission standard. A table with an FSC mark can still contain composite wood that must meet TSCA Title VI. Separate the sourcing question from the formaldehyde question when you read the label.

What should I do if the listing only shows CARB Phase 2?

Ask the seller for the TSCA Title VI label or a written compliance statement before buying. A CARB ATCM Phase II label was acceptable for regulated products through March 22, 2019, but newer regulated products made or imported into the United States must be labeled TSCA Title VI compliant. Do not rely on an old label for new production.

How do I check whether a model has been recalled?

Use the CPSC recall and product safety warnings page and search by brand or model number. The page covers many household product categories, including furniture. You can check again after purchase, especially if the table has drawers, shelves, or a lift top that could present a safety concern.