[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 6761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3525]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 970122010-7010-01]
RIN 0693-XX28
American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated; Recommends
Additions to Membership
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology announces
that it is considering a recommendation from the American Lumber
Standard Committee, Incorporated (hereafter referred to as the ALSC) to
increase the membership of the ALSC by two additional members. The ALSC
has recommended that the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA), the
rules-writing agency of Canada, and the wood-treaters segment of the
lumber industry each be provided one voting membership. NIST will
announce its decision in the Federal Register following public review
of the recommendation.
DATES: Written comments on the ALSC recommendation must be submitted to
Barbara M. Meigs, Standards Management Program, Office of Standards
Services, on or before May 14, 1997, for the comments to be considered.
ADDRESSES: Standards Management Program, Room 164, Building 820, Office
of Standards Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara M. Meigs, Standards Management Program, Office of Standards
Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Tel: 301-975-
4025, Fax: 301-926-1559, e-mail: barbara.meigs@nist.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9.3.7 of Voluntary Product Standard
PS 20-94 American Softwood Lumber Standard, developed under procedures
published by the Department of Commerce (15 CFR part 10), has a
provision by which the Secretary of Commerce, upon request, can
consider making additional appointments to the ALSC to ensure that it
has a comprehensive balance of interests. It provides that in such
considerations, the Secretary shall consult with the ALSC for advice
regarding balance of interests and the criteria by which it may be
determined.
The ALSC, at its annual meeting on November 15, 1996, approved
requesting two additional memberships: One membership for the NLGA of
Canada and one for wood-treaters. This recommendation was sent to NIST
for consideration on December 10, 1996.
In its recommendation, the ALSC indicated that an additional entry
under 9.3.1 (rules-writing agencies) should be provided to include the
NLGA membership. That section pertains to the qualifications of rules-
writing agencies as they pertain to the composition of the membership
of the ALSC and lists those agencies that may nominate principal and
alternate members. In making its recommendation, the ALSC also noted
that for many years Canadian representatives have been actively
involved in the American lumber standardization system. Membership of
the NLGA, therefore, would assist in continuing that beneficial
relationship. The ALSC noted that in 1995, Canadian softwood lumber
imports into the United States accounted for 36% of the United States
lumber market.
With regard to the wood-treaters membership, the ALSC recommended
that an additional entry under 9.3.3 (other interested and affected
groups) of PS 20-94 should be provided. That section pertains to
representation of firms or organizations within organizations and
groups that specify, distribute, and purchase lumber. Since 1992, the
Board of Review of the ALSC has been accrediting qualified agencies for
supervisory and lot inspection of pressure-treated wood products at
treating facilities. These agencies monitor treating facilities in
accordance to their adherence to applicable standards of the American
Wood Preservers' Association. In making its recommendation, the ALSC
noted that over 5 billion board feet of treated wood is involved in its
treated-wood program.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272.
Dated: February 5, 1997.
Elaine Bunten-Mines,
Director, Program Office.
[FR Doc. 97-3525 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M