Forest Products: Trade Policy Highlights


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	FOREST PRODUCTS TRADE POLICY HIGHLIGHTS - JUNE 2004
	Commerce Announces Preliminary Antidumping Determination on Wooden Bedroom Furniture from China
	On June 18, 2004, the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of wooden bedroom furniture from China. DOC found that wooden furniture from China was likely being sold in the United States at less than fair value. Preliminary dumping margins ranged from 5 percent to 198 percent. DOC is scheduled to make its final determination on November 5, 2004. Imports of wooden bedroom furniture from China have increased from $169 million in 1999 to $1.1 billion in 2003.

	PSI Recognized as Performance Evaluation Body Recognized by GOJ
	On June 18, 2004, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the recognition of PSI as a Recognized Performance Evaluation Body, the first such recognition for a non-Japanese company. PSI can now test and certify a wide-range of products as complying with Japan’s indoor air quality regulations for formaldehyde emissions.

	Incorporation of KSF 1611-1 into the Korean National Building Code
	The Ministry of Construction and Technology has announced a proposal to recognize wood assemblies as fire resistant and incorporate KSF 1611-1 (the burn-rate test standard) into the Korean National Building Code (KNBC). This in theory would allow wood-frame construction up to three stories and 3,000 m2 of floor space. The comment period ends June 17 and the final rule is expected to be published in October 2004. The KNBC had limited wood-frame construction to two stories and did not allow any multi-story, multi-family wood-frame construction. The American Forest and Paper Association has worked closely with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. Trade Representative's office for more than ten years to have this standard incorporated into the KNBC. Incorporation of KSF 1611-1 into KNBC would allow for wood use in apartment construction and provide new, low-cost, high-quality, environmentally friendly options for residential construction. Such construction makes up approximately 90 percent of the Korean housing market.