[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11930-11931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06041]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Voluntary Product Standard 20-15, American Softwood 
Lumber Standard

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is 
soliciting public comment on a proposed revision to Voluntary Product 
Standard (PS) 20-15, 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 wood packaging materials. 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 should be 
submitted to the Standards Services Division, NIST, no later than April 
29, 2019.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard, PS 20-
15, can be obtained at the following website https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/06/13/doc_ps_20-15_american_softwood_lumber_standard-final-2-25-15.pdf.
    Written comments on the standard should be submitted to David F. 
Alderman, Standards Services Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 
2100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2100; 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: The proposed revision of the standard has 
been developed and is being processed in accordance with Department of 
Commerce provisions in 15 CFR part 10, Procedures for the Development 
of Voluntary Product Standards, as amended (published June 20, 1986). 
Under 15 CFR part 10, the American Lumber Standard Committee 
(Committee) acts as the Standing Committee for PS 20-15. The Committee 
is responsible for maintaining, revising, and interpreting the 
standard, and is comprised of producers, distributors, users, and 
others with an interest in the standard.
    PS 20-15 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 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 Committee, the Board of Review, and the National 
Grading Rule Committee.
    NIST invites public comments on the current standard, PS 20-15, 
which is available at https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/06/13/doc_ps_20-15_american_softwood_lumber_standard-final-2-25-15.pdf.
    Attachments will be accepted in plain text, Microsoft Word, or 
Adobe PDF formats. Comments containing references, studies, research, 
and other empirical data that are not widely published should include 
copies or

[[Page 11931]]

electronic links of the referenced materials.
    All submissions, including attachments and other supporting 
materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public 
disclosure. NIST reserves the right to publish comments publicly, 
unedited and in their entirety. Sensitive personal information, such as 
account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other 
individuals, should not be included. Submissions will not be edited to 
remove any identifying or contact information. Do not submit 
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or 
other inappropriate language or content will not be considered.
    Written comments should be submitted in accordance with the DATES 
and ADDRESSES sections of this notice. The Committee and NIST will 
consider all responsive comments received and may revise the standard, 
as appropriate.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 272.

Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2019-06041 Filed 3-28-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-13-P