Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20 “American Softwood Lumber Standard”, 15975-15976 [2024-04741]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15975-15976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04741]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

RIN 0693-XA10


Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-20 
``American Softwood Lumber Standard''

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
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) 20-20, ``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 20-25, 
should be submitted to the Standards Coordination Office, NIST, no 
later than April 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (in PDF) of the current standard, PS 20-
20, 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 Nathalie Rioux via email to 
[email protected] or via mail to Standards Coordination Office, NIST, 
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2150, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2150.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathalie Rioux, Standards Coordination 
Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 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 20-20, 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) 20-20 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. All comments, 
including attachments will be accepted in 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.

[[Page 15976]]

    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. Comments 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 American Lumber Standard 
Committee and NIST will consider all responsive comments received and 
may revise the standard as appropriate.

Tamiko Ford,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-04741 Filed 3-5-24; 8:45 am]
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