EPA Postpones Exterior Commercial Building Lead Rules

) announced in mid-September that it would postpone lead rules for exterior remodeling of commercial properties by about three years.

Asreported on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works website, “The legal agreement … shows EPA has decided to merge its exterior [LRRP] rule … with its interior regulations … set to be proposed in July 2015 and finalized in January 2017.”

“I have always supported the intent of LRRP … but EPA’s implementation of the rule has long been botched …” Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)

Many legislators believe the certification process is costly and unnecessary for exterior commercial work, which has a low risk of exposure.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced legislation (S. 2148) that would not allow the EPA to expand the rule to commercial or public buildings — with an exemption for emergency renovations after a natural disaster.

The EPA will hold public information meetings this winter to seek input from a small-business advocacy review panel. —Stacey Freed, senior editor, REMODELING.

More REMODELING articles about lead regulation:

Overview — What Is the RRP?

NARI & NAHBR Stance on RRP Opt-Out Provision

RRP Compliance: More States Take on Lead-Safety Enforcement