[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28485-28486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11425]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No. 140227181-4181-01]


Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-10 
``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

[[Page 28486]]

and Technology (NIST) is seeking comments for the proposed revision to 
Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-10, ``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 20-10, 
should be submitted to the Standards Services Division, NIST, no later 
than June 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard, PS 20-
10, can be obtained at the following Web site http://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/L1-5/l2-44/A-355. 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 email 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, email: [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 20-10, American Softwood Lumber Standard, (Committee) 
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) 20-10 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.
    NIST invites public comments on the current standard, PS 20-10, 
which is available at http://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/L1-5/l2-44/A-355. All public comments will be reviewed and considered. Written 
comments should be submitted in accordance with the DATES and ADDRESSES 
sections of this notice. The American Lumber Standard Committee and 
NIST will consider all comments received and may revise the standard, 
as appropriate.

    Dated: May 12, 2014.
Willie E. May,
Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2014-11425 Filed 5-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P