97-3525. American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated; Recommends Additions to Membership  

  • [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
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/13/1997
Department:
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
97-3525
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.
Pages:
6761-6761 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 970122010-7010-01
RINs:
0693-XX28
PDF File:
97-3525.pdf