Wood Manufacturing Experts On EPA’s New Lead Rule

Wood manufacturing experts at the Window and Door Manufacturers Association issued a briefing on the EPA Lead Rule Update:

EPA’s new “Lead Rule” went into effect on April 22, 2010 requiring contractors, property managers and others paid to renovate structures built before 1978 to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

WDMA staff and member company representatives have met with EPA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials regarding the “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting” (RRP) rule expressing concerns over the lack of certified firms, trained renovators, and approved test kits that will be necessary to effectively implement the rule without significant disruption of home renovations throughout the U.S.

In addition to the opt out provision being removed EPA has issued two additional notices regarding the RRP rule. The first is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to strengthen the 2008 RRP rule in housing and child-occupied facilities by expanding post renovation requirements. The second notice is an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to announce EPA’s intention to regulate renovations on the exteriors of public and commercial buildings. The EPA announcement goes on to say if EPA determines that lead-based paint hazards are created by interior renovations, EPA will propose regulations to address the hazards.