[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24698]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number 990809210-9210-01]


Voluntary Product Standard; DOC PS 20-99 ``American Softwood 
Lumber Standard''

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces voluntary product standard DOC PS 20-99 ``American Softwood 
Lumber Standard'' is to supersede DOC PS 20-94. The Standard 
establishes standard sizes and requirements for developing and 
coordinating the lumber grades of the various species of softwood 
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, 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.

DATES: DOC PS 20-99 ``American Softwood Lumber Standard,'' a voluntary 
product standard developed under Department of Commerce procedures, 
becomes effective September 1, 1999, for products produced thereunder 
on and after that date. The standard being superseded, DOC PS 20-94 
``American Softwood Lumber Standard,'' is effective for products 
produced thereunder through August 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Requests for a copy of DOC PS 20-99 should be submitted to 
the Technical Standards Activities program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 
2150, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara M. Meigs, Technical Standards 
Activities Program, telephone: 301-975-4025, fax: 301-926-1559, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOC PS 20-99 ``American Softwood Lumber 
Standard'' was developed by the American Lumber Standard Committee, the 
Standing Committee responsible for maintaining DOC PS 20-94. The 
revision was processed in accordance with provisions of Department 
``Procedures for the Development of Voluntary Product Standards'' (15 
CFR Part 10, as amended; 51 FR 119 dated June 20, 1986). A notice, 
which appeared in the Federal Register on February 1, 1999 (54 FR 4844-
4845), announced NIST's circulation of the revision for public review 
and comment and provided the history of the revision.
    An analysis of the results of the comments and responses received 
by NIST indicated that the revision was supported by a consensus 
(general concurrence and, in addition, no substantive objection deemed 
valid by the Department); therefore, in accordance with DOC procedures, 
DOC PS 20-99 supersedes DOC PS 20-94, effective September 1, 1999. The 
new edition reflects efforts toward updating and improving the 
presentation of DOC PS 20 with clarification and simplification of text 
and terms while maintaining the technical requirements and 
administrative structure for implementing and enforcing the Standard.

    Authority: 15 USC 272.

    Dated: September 16, 1999.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 99-24698 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M