The International Wood Products Association says it welcomes legislation to set a national standard for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.

"Our members are meeting and exceeding the emission regulations already in place in the state of California. They welcome a nationwide standard to provide uniformity and predictability to the marketplace," says Brent McClendon, executive vice president of the IWPA, in a news release.

The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S.1660) passed the House of Representatives June 23 and is now bound for President Barack Obama's desk. The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations on emissions, labeling, and third-party testing, among other provisions, according to the IWPA.

"Our members report to us that passage of this bill effectively ends the fallacious 'level the playing field' argument and allows architects and designers to increasingly specify and use the imported wood products they especially favor for particular applications in housing, cabinets and furniture," says McClendon.

For information, visit www.iwpawood.org.