Standards and Trade Related Notices from the U.S. Federal Register, 4.03.09
U.S. Federal Register Update
March 28, 2009 – April 3, 2009
The U.S. Federal Register Update contains summaries of entries in the U.S. Federal Register that relate to the standards and conformity assessment community. Summaries are divided into items that would be of broad interest to the entire community (top section) and items that may be more targeted toward specific stakeholders (bottom section). This update is provided on a weekly basis by ANSI as a service to its members as part of the ANSI What’s New? email newsletter.
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Broad Interest Items
Topic Proposed Revision to Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-05 ``American Softwood Lumber Standard''
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 04/03/2009 N/A NIST pp. 15255-15256
Standard Ref. N/A
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) 20-05, ``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.
Topic International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; Public Meeting
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 03/31/2009 N/A PHMSA pp. 14612-14613
Standard Ref. N/A
Summary This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 35th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held June 22-26, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments relative to potential new work items which may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda, and comments relative to a potential future rulemaking action regarding the use and applicability of international standards.
Topic Notice of Roundtable on Cribs and Other Sleeping Environments for Infants
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 03/30/2009 N/A CPSC pp. 14108
Standard Ref. N/A
Summary On August 14, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 was signed into law. Section 104 of the CPSIA requires the Commission to study and develop safety standards for durable infant and toddler products. The Commission is charged with examining and assessing the effectiveness of any voluntary consumer product safety standards for these products in consultation with representatives of consumer groups, juvenile product manufacturers, and independent child product engineers and experts. As part of the consultation process, the Commission will hold a Roundtable on Cribs and Other Sleeping Environments for Infants.
Targeted Interest Items
Topic EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Request for Nominations of Candidates for the EPA Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis, EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and EPA Science Advisory Board
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 04/02/2009 N/A EPA pp. 14983-14985
Standard Ref. N/A
Summary The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is soliciting nominations for consideration of membership on EPA's Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (Council), EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), and EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) and SAB subcommittees.
Topic National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 04/02/2009 40 CFR Parts 51 and 59 EPA pp. 14941-14949
Standard Ref. N/A
Summary EPA is proposing to amend the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings (aerosol coatings reactivity rule), which establishes national reactivity-based emission standards for the aerosol coatings category (aerosol spray paints) under section 183(e) of the Clean Air Act. This proposed action amends Table 2A of the aerosol coatings reactivity rule by adding compounds and associated reactivity factors based on petitions we received; and by clarifying which volatile organic compounds are to be quantified in compliance determinations. Additionally, we are proposing certain changes related to the notice required for a company to certify that it will assume the responsibility for compliance with record keeping and reporting requirements for a regulated entity, and taking comment on whether to change who is liable following such certification. Finally, this action proposes minor revisions and corrections to the aerosol coatings reactivity rule.
Topic Amendments to Highway Safety Program Guidelines
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 04/01/2009 N/A NHTSA pp. 14843-14857
Standard Ref. FMVSS
Summary Section 402 of title 23 of the United States Code requires the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate uniform guidelines for State highway safety programs. This notice revises five of the existing guidelines and adds a new one to reflect program methodologies and approaches that have proven to be successful and are based on sound science and program administration. The revised guidelines are Guideline No. 4 Driver Education; Guideline No. 5 Non-Commercial Driver Licensing; Guideline No. 7 Judicial and Court Services; Guideline No. 10 Traffic Records; and Guideline No. 17 Pupil Transportation. The new guideline is Guideline No. 12 Prosecutor Training.
Topic Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for New Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 04/01/2009 N/A NHTSA pp. 14857-14862
Standard Ref. CAFE
Summary Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NHTSA plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the agency's Corporate Average Fuel Economy program for passenger automobiles (referred to herein as ``passenger cars'') and nonpassenger automobiles (referred to herein as ``light trucks''). The EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts of new fuel economy standards for model year 2012-2016 passenger cars and light trucks that NHTSA will be proposing pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This notice initiates the NEPA scoping process by inviting comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian Tribes, and the public to help identify the environmental issues and reasonable alternatives to be examined in the EIS. This notice also provides guidance for participating in the scoping process and additional information about the alternatives NHTSA expects to consider in its NEPA analysis.
Topic Average Fuel Economy Standards Passenger Cars and Light Trucks Model Year 2011; Final Rule
Date-CFR-Ref.-Pages 03/30/2009 49 CFR Parts 523, 531, 533, et al. NHTSA pp. 14195-14244
Standard Ref. CAFE
Summary The future of this country's economy, security, and environment are linked to one key challenge: energy. To reduce fuel consumption, NHTSA has been issuing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards since the late 1970's under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). However, the principal effects of these standards are broader than their statutory purpose. Reducing fuel consumption conserves petroleum, a non-renewable energy source, saves consumers money, and promotes energy independence and security by reducing dependence on foreign oil. It also directly reduces the motor vehicle tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the principal greenhouse gas emitted by motor vehicles.