[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 63 (Friday, April 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15255-15256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7518]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 090306279-9290-01]


Proposed Revision to 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 seeking comments for the proposed 
revision of Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-05, ``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

[[Page 15256]]

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 May 18, 2009.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard, PS 20-
05, can be obtained at the following Web site: http://ts.nist.gov/docvps. Written comments on the standard should be submitted to David 
F. Alderman, Standards Services Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 
2150, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150; fax (301) 975-4715. Electronic 
comments may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David F. Alderman, Standards Services 
Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, telephone: 
(301) 975-4019; fax: (301) 975-4715, e-mail: [email protected].

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 20-05, 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.
    All public comments will be reviewed and considered. The American 
Lumber Standard Committee and NIST will revise the standard 
accordingly.

    Dated: March 26, 2009.
Patrick Gallagher,
Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E9-7518 Filed 4-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P