CERTIFICATIONS
What is certified Plywood?
Madeireira Rio Claro exports its products to many parts of the world such as Europe, USA, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Central America and Mercosur. The exportation of our products requires technical characteristics of quality and performance defined by the standards set by importing countries like the United States, Europe – EC Rules. These sets of standards are named Certification.
In order to have certification for a product, the company must hire a legally authorized agency to that end, in according to the international norms and regulatory standards. After aligning the procecess to the standard requirements an initial audit is carried out to assess whether the company fulfilled all the requirements and only then, receives the certification. Once certified, the company is audited regularly by this board, that checks whether the standard is being maintained regarding the traceability of the documents related to the production process, internal controls and testing in own laboratory. Once compliance with the standard and product traceability is proved, certification is maintained.
To meet the requirements of international quality standards, we have our own laboratories. One being used in the analysis of inputs, quality control tracking and continuous analysis of our veneers of plywood. The other laboratory, where temperature and moisture is carefully intended to run tests as structural shear, bending, stiffness, permeability and others. Our panels used for shuttering are also tested in our own laboratories.
Madeireira Rio Claro Ltda was granted the following certifications:
CE 4 – EN 13986 – European Standard – non-Structural use
European Community certification for plywood that comprises products designed for use in civil construction comprising non-structural applications. These products feature are high durability of bonding, low formaldehyde emission and resistance to deterioration.
To fully comply with the requirements of the certification the company issues a Self-declaration stating that their products comply with this standard and then can be trades with the EC4 Label.
CE 2+ – EN 13986 – European Standard – Structural use
European plywood Certification comprises products designed for use in civil construction as structural elements that require resistance to loading, such as floors, walls, ceilings and others. These products have structural strength, high bonding durability, low formaldehyde emission and resistance to deterioration.
The Certifying board is the HFB – Engineering GMBH based in Leipzig in Germany.
FSC® – Forest Stewardship Council®
This certification assures that the products are manufactured employing raw material that comes from a responsible forest management that meets the environmental, social and economical criteria. Furthermore, we have suppliers who hold FSC® certification as well; thereby, responsible management of the forests is assured. The purchase of certified material enables Madeireira Rio Claro Ltda to trade its plywood with the FSC label in the Chain-of-Custody mode. The CoC is a process that assures traceability of the raw material from the certified forests to the final consumer and it means that the raw material comes from a forest management that is socially fair, environmentally responsible and economically feasible. It enables our clients who hold valid CoC to resell certified products or even incorporate new remanufactured products. These products, in turn, can be certified as well. Part of your production receives Chain-of-Custody FSC certification. This label confirms that the raw material comes from legal and responsible sources.
UKCA
The UKCA Certification was introduced following Brexit, after the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. Since then, products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) must be bear with the UKCA Certification. Certified plywood which is intended for use in construction as structural components, is characterized by high bonding durability, low formaldehyde emissions, and resistance to deterioration. This certification covers most of the products that are certified with the CE mark, according to EN 13986:2004 + A1:2015. The certification body is BBA – British Board of Agrément.
CARB / CANFER
The CARB certification refers to compliance with the regulations of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding formaldehyde emissions from wood products, including plywood. CARB sets strict limits on the amount of formaldehyde that can be released from composite wood products, in this case, plywood, to help reduce indoor air pollution and protect public health.
To hold the CARB Certification, the company must be certified by an accredited institution. Additionally, it is essential to maintain strict control over production processes, demonstrating compliance with the standards. Periodic formaldehyde emission tests must be conducted on plywood panels to prove the effectiveness of quality control and compliance with the regulations.
The CANFER certification serves the same purpose mentioned above and is required to ensure that plywood meets Canadian regulations on formaldehyde emissions. Therefore, composite wood products, in this case, plywood, must have CANFER certification to be sold in Canada. To hold the CANFER Certification, the company must also be certified by an accredited institution.
Plywood must be labelled with the CARB/CANFER certification, along with supporting documentation that provides information about compliance with the standards.
Our certifying body for CARB/CANFER is Benchmark.
PS 1-22 – American Standard – Structural Use.
This certification applies to products intended for the U.S. and Canadian markets, with a primary focus on industrial and construction applications. Certified plywood panels meet the requirements of the PS 1-22 American standard, ensuring laboratory-tested structural strength, superior bonding durability, and standardized veneer thickness. Additionally, they undergo a meticulous selection process for face veneers and surface repairs, complying with all established quality criteria.
Panels certified under PS 1-22 are fully compliant with U.S. and Canadian building codes, guaranteeing exceptional performance and structural reliability for their intended applications.
The certifying body is Benchmark, based in the U.S.
IRAM Certification
The IRAM 9506 Certification is an essential requirement for the commercialization of plywood intended for the Argentine market. This standard covers products for various segments, including structural construction, concrete forms, furniture manufacturing, and other applications requiring high mechanical strength and durability.
The certification ensures the traceability of the plywood, guaranteeing that its characteristics meet strict quality criteria, such as dimensional accuracy, mechanical strength, bending resistance/elasticity, and bonding quality.
IRAM-certified plywood is manufactured under strict quality control, using production processes that ensure better performance and resistance to environmental conditions.
By choosing IRAM-certified products, you can be confident that you are acquiring reliable, high-performance material that meets the most demanding standards of the Argentine market.
The certifying body is IRAM – Argentine Institute of Standardization and Certification.
MADEIREIRA RIO CLARO LTDA
