EPA delaying enforcement of lead rule

Responding to concerns raised by the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, its building industry coalition allies and several members of Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in June it was delaying enforcement of its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule), which had become effective on April 22.

The EPA acknowledged the need for additional time for renovation firms and workers to become trained and certified under the rule. The specific delays are:

? Until Oct. 1, the EPA will not take enforcement action for violations of the RRP Rule's firm certification requirement.

? For violations of the RRP Rule's renovation worker certification requirement, EPA will not enforce sanctions against individual renovation workers if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, by not later than Sept. 30, a certified renovator class to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with the final rules. Renovators must complete the training by Dec. 31.

"While we appreciate EPA responding to the concerns raised by WDMA and others, we continue to have serious concerns with many aspects of the rule, including the removal of the opt-out provision and unreliable test kits, and the new rulemakings on clearance testing and expansion to commercial buildings," says WDMA president Michael O'Brien. "While everyone supports the goal of the rule, its complex and burdensome requirements have the potential to seriously impact the industry's fragile recovery and WDMA will continue to seek ways to mitigate those impacts."

For information, visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm