[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24001-24002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 050329086-5086-01]


Proposed Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-05 ``American 
Softwood Lumber Standard''

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, 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 distributing a proposed revision of 
Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-99, ``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 20-05, 
should be submitted to the Standards Services Division, NIST, no later 
than June 20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the proposed standard, PS 20-
05, can be obtained at the following Web site http://ts.nist.gov/docvps. This site also includes an electronic copy of PS 20-99 (the 
existing standard), a summary of major recommended changes, and a form 
for submitting comments. Written comments on the standard should be 
submitted to Ms. JoAnne Overman, 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 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

[[Page 24002]]

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, 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) 20-05 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.
    In addition to format, terminology, updates and general 
clarification, this revision makes the following major recommendations: 
(1) Section 2.2, Board measure, adds calculation of board feet for 
pieces of lumber less than 1 in thickness; (2) Section 2.12, 
Heat treated (HT), adds a definition for heat treated lumber; (3) Table 
3, Nominal and minimum-dressed sizes of boards, dimensions, and 
timbers, adds dry timber sizes as shown in amended Table 3; (4) 
Sections 6.2.3.1, and 6.2.5.1, on dry and green size requirements, 
respectively, adds language that recognizes that lumber shrinks or 
expands depending on its moisture content; (5) Section 7.3.3, 
concerning grade marking, defines bundled lumber; (6) Section 10, Board 
of Review, is reformatted; (7) Section 11.3, Composition of National 
Grading Rule Committee, deletes old building code organizations and 
adds new building code organizations represented on the Committee and 
adds membership to the Committee as indicated; and (8) Appendix A, 
Commercial Names of the Principal Softwood Species, deletes species 
groups and adds additional species.
    All public comments will be reviewed and considered. The American 
Lumber Standard Committee and NIST will revise the standard 
accordingly.

    Dated: April 28, 2005.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 05-9115 Filed 5-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P