NAHB to EPA: Lead Paint Rule Needs Revising

NAHB filed comprehensive comments with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week asserting that in its current form, the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule is an inefficient tool for achieving the environmental and health goals of the underlying issues.

NAHB strongly encouraged EPA to perform a new economic analysis because, to date, there has yet to be a lead test kit on the market that qualifies with the rule’s standards.

Additionally, NAHB urged EPA to revise the unnecessarily complex and burdensome new renovator recertification requirements recently finalized by the agency and to ensure that certified renovators be provided the resources they need to comply with the program.

The extensive comments were part of a required retrospective review. Federal agencies are required to review rules that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within ten years of publication of the final rule.

EPA had initially planned for only a 60-day public comment period, but under the direction of NAHB, a coalition of trade associations was formed and helped extend that time frame. The coalition coordinated a Small Business Administration Roundtable on Aug. 24 that brought EPA staff together with stakeholders from across the industry who voiced their questions and concerns regarding the review.

EPA expects to complete its review and issue a report by early to mid-2017. For additional information about the lead paint rule, contact Tamra Spielvogel at 800-368-5242 x8327.