[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52463-52464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21343]


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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 revisions 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 no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 1, 2019. 
Written comments in response to this notice should be submitted 
according to the instructions in the ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION sections below. Submissions received after that date may 
not be considered.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard and 
proposed revisions can be obtained at the following website https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/voluntary-product-standards-program. 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.
    Voluntary Product 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/standardsgov/voluntary-product-standards-program.
    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 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

[[Page 52464]]

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.
    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 responsive comments received and may revise the 
standard, as appropriate.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272.

Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2019-21343 Filed 10-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P