[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 63 (Friday, April 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16748-16749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7494]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Document Number: 090306279-0146-02]


Final Voluntary Product Standard; DOC PS 20-10 ``American 
Softwood Lumber Standard''

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces voluntary product standard DOC PS 20-10 ``American Softwood 
Lumber Standard'' which will supersede DOC PS 20-05. 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 in 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 20-10 ``American Softwood Lumber Standard,'' a voluntary 
product standard developed under Department of Commerce procedures, 
becomes effective June 1, 2010, for products produced thereunder on and 
after that date. The standard being superseded, DOC PS 20-05 ``American 
Softwood Lumber Standard,'' is effective for products produced 
thereunder through May 31, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Requests for a copy of DOC PS 20-10 should be submitted to: 
Standards Services Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 2100, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150. The standard is also available at http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Conformity/vps.cfm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David F. Alderman, Standards Services 
Division, telephone: 301-975-4019, fax: 301-975-4715, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOC PS 20-10 ``American Softwood Lumber 
Standard'' was developed by the American Lumber Standard Committee, the 
Standing Committee responsible for maintaining the standard. The 
revision was processed in accordance with provisions of Department of 
Commerce ``Procedures for the Development of Voluntary Product 
Standards'' (15 CFR part 10). A notice, which appeared in the Federal 
Register on April 3, 2009 (74 FR 15255) announced NIST's circulation of 
the revision for public review, requested public comments, and provided 
the history of the revision.

Analysis of Comments

    NIST received one comment from an association representing lumber 
retailers.
    Comment: The commenter requested that the standard be expanded to 
include a ``single regime'' for verifying the eco-attribute of lumber 
products with an on-product eco-label.

[[Page 16749]]

    Response: NIST did not make the requested change because the scope 
of DOC PS 20 deals with the grade marking of various softwood lumber 
and the addition of eco-labeling is therefore considered outside the 
scope of this standard.
    DOC PS 20-10 supersedes DOC PS 20-05, effective June 1, 2010. The 
new edition reflects efforts toward updating and improving DOC PS 20 
with clarification and amplification of text and terms while 
maintaining the technical requirements and administrative structure for 
implementing and enforcing the Standard.

    Dated: March 30, 2010.
Marc G. Stanley,
Acting Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-7494 Filed 4-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P