RESTON, VA – Board members of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn. (KCMA) approved new criteria for manufacturers and suppliers applying for Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certification. The new changes, including adoption of the new California Air Resource Board (CARB) standards for composite wood products, will go into effect beginning January 1, 2009.

“From ESP’s inception, KCMA has always known that the program would continuously improve to reflect new technology, regulations and standards within the industry,” said Dick Titus, executive vice president, KCMA. “It is our goal to regularly re-evaluate ESP to meet the needs and demands for eco-friendly cabinetry practices.”

Other new criteria allows points to be earned for the use of certified hardboard and the use of softwood lumber, softwood plywood and hardwood plywood (in addition to the original hardwood lumber) certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program.

Along with meeting requirements in all five of the ESP categories: air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations, those certified under ESP must also submit to an annual recertification process. A written policy stating a manufacturer’s firm commitment to environmental quality is now also a mandatory requirement. Cabinet manufacturers and suppliers who gained certification before updated ESP criteria go into effect will be required to meet ESP’s new standards upon their next annual recertification.

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