[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 40 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9591-9592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4443]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 04129029-4029-01]


Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-99, American Softwood Lumber 
Standard

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is 
requesting comments on Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-99, American 
Softwood Lumber Standard. This standard 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 
panels 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 standard and submit comments.

DATES: Written comments regarding PS 20-99 should be submitted to the 
Standards Coordination and Conformity Group, Standards Services 
Division, NIST, no later than May 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the standard, PS 20-99, can 
be obtained at the following Web site http://ts.nist.gov/docvps. 
Printed copies may be obtained from the address below. Written comments 
on the standard should be submitted to Ms. JoAnne Overman, Standards 
Coordination and Conformity Group,

[[Page 9592]]

Standards Services Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2150, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150; fax (301) 975-5414. Electronic comments 
may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. JoAnne Overman, Standards 
Coordination and Conformity Group, Standards Services Division, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, telephone: (301) 975-
4037; fax: (301) 975-5414, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Department of Commerce procedures 
established 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 20-99, American Softwood Lumber Standard, and is 
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) 20-99 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, 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. The American 
Lumber Standard Committee and NIST will revise the standard 
accordingly.

    Dated: February 20, 2004.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 04-4443 Filed 2-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P