Notice2024-04741
Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20 “American Softwood Lumber Standard”
Primary source
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Published
March 6, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Abstract
This notice advises the public that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking comments for the proposed revision of Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20, "American Softwood Lumber Standard." This standard, prepared by the American Lumber Standard Committee, serves the procurement and regulatory needs of numerous Federal, State, and local government agencies by providing for uniform, industry-wide grade-marking and inspection requirements for softwood lumber. The implementation of the standard also allows for uniform labeling and auditing of treated wood and, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, labeling and auditing of wood packaging materials for international trade. As part of a five-year review process, NIST is seeking public comment and invites interested parties to review the revised standard and submit comments.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15975-15976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04741]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
RIN 0693-XA10
Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20
``American Softwood Lumber Standard''
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking comments for the proposed
revision of Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20, ``American Softwood
Lumber Standard.'' This standard, prepared by the American Lumber
Standard Committee, serves the procurement and regulatory needs of
numerous Federal, State, and local government agencies by providing for
uniform, industry-wide grade-marking and inspection requirements for
softwood lumber. The implementation of the standard also allows for
uniform labeling and auditing of treated wood and, through a Memorandum
of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, labeling and
auditing of wood packaging materials for international trade. As part
of a five-year review process, NIST is seeking public comment and
invites interested parties to review the revised standard and submit
comments.
DATES: Written comments regarding the proposed revision, PS 20-25,
should be submitted to the Standards Coordination Office, NIST, no
later than April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard, PS 20-
20, can be obtained at the following website <a href="https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/voluntary-product-standards-program">https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/voluntary-product-standards-program</a>. Written comments on
the standard should be submitted to Nathalie Rioux via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c0f081d12181d0e180f3c12150f08521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1c2c5d0dfd5d0c3d5c2f1dfd8c2c59fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a> or via mail to Standards Coordination Office, NIST,
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2150, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathalie Rioux, Standards Coordination
Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5d6d1c4cbc1c4d7c1d6e5cbccd6d18bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="215255404f4540534552614f4852550f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Department of Commerce regulations
codified in title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, part 10, Procedures
for the Development of Voluntary Product Standards, and administered by
NIST, the American Lumber Standard Committee acts as the Standing
Committee for PS 20-20, American Softwood Lumber Standard, responsible
for maintaining, revising, and interpreting the standard. The Committee
is comprised of producers, distributors, users, and others with an
interest in the standard.
Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20 establishes standard sizes
and requirements for developing and coordinating the lumber grades of
the various species of lumber, the assignment of design values, and the
preparation of grading rules applicable to each species. Its provisions
include implementation of the standard through an accreditation and
certification program; establishment of principal trade classifications
and lumber sizes for yard, structural, and factory/shop use;
classification, measurement, grading, and grade-marking of lumber;
definitions of terms and procedures to provide a basis for the use of
uniform methods in the grading inspection, measurement, and description
of softwood lumber; commercial names of the principal softwood species;
definitions of terms used in describing standard grades of lumber; and
commonly used industry abbreviations. The standard also includes the
organization and functions of the American Lumber Standard Committee,
the Board of Review, and the National Grading Rule Committee.
All public comments will be reviewed and considered. All comments,
including attachments will be accepted in Microsoft word, or Adobe PDF
formats. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other
empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or
electronic links of the referenced materials.
[[Page 15976]]
All submissions, including attachments and other supporting
materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public
disclosure. NIST reserves the right to publish comments publicly,
unedited and in their entirety. Sensitive personal information, such as
account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other
individuals, should not be included. Comments will not be edited to
remove any identifying or contact information. Do not submit
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected
information. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or
other inappropriate language or content will not be considered.
Written comments should be submitted in accordance with the DATES
and ADDRESSES sections of this notice. The American Lumber Standard
Committee and NIST will consider all responsive comments received and
may revise the standard as appropriate.
Tamiko Ford,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-04741 Filed 3-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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