The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 18 a decision to delay enforcement of the RRP, Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.  Since the rule became effective on April 22, 2010, CFI has been working with EPA officials to provide further insight into the impact of this ruling on the flooring industry.

The EPA estimates that the rule affects about 79 million owners whose homes were built prior to 1978 when lead paint was banned.  Additional time has been granted by the EPA for renovation firms and workers to obtain the necessary training and certifications to comply as follows:

1.  On October 1, 2010, the EPA begins enforcement action for violations of the RRP Rule certification requirement.

2.  For violations of the RRP Rule’s renovation worker certification requirement, the EPA will not enforce against individual renovation workers if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, no later than September 30, 2010, a certified renovator class to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with the final rules.  Training must be completed by December 31, 2010.

Information concerning lead-safe work practices is available at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#requirements .

Training information is available at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/training.htm .