The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S.1660) passed both houses of US Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law July 7.

Woodshop News explains what this means for wood products in America:

[The Act] amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to make the formaldehyde emission standard contained in the California Code of Regulations (relating to an airborne toxic control measure to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, as in effect on July 28, 2009) applicable to hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured in the United States, with listed exemptions, including for hardboard, structural plywood, wood packaging and composite wood products used inside new vehicles, railcars, boats, aerospace craft or aircraft.

The movement for national regulation really picked up steam when tens of thousands of families became ill in temporary housing after Hurricane Katrina. An investigation by the Sierra Club in Mississippi found formaldehyde to be the culprit. Interesting to note that the bill was led by republicans and democrats from Minnesota, Idaho, California and Michigan, rather than from the states of the families who became ill.