Fairfax, Va. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay enforcement of the recently implemented Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule's certification requirements until later this year.
 
EPA's decision comes after the U.S. Senate last month approved legislation delaying enforcement of the RRP Rule until Oct. 1, 2010. Contractors such as remodeling and home repair specialists, as well as ancillary service providers like pest management professionals and plumbers, had complained to agency officials and members of Congress that EPA did a poor job of educating affected stakeholders of the RRP rule and that there were too few certified trainers. The rule's definition of "renovation" is so broad that PMPs who open walls in pre-1978 houses to access pests or perform inspections are likely subject to the RRP rule's many requirements.
 
Specifically, EPA will not take enforcement actions for violations of the RRP rule's firm certification requirement until Oct. 1, 2010. The agency will not enforce the rule's worker certification requirement if the worker has applied to enroll in or has enrolled in a certified renovator workshop by Sept. 30, 2010. Workers must complete the training by Dec. 30, 2010.
 
EPA also stated in the announcement that it would continue to enforce that work practice requirements in the Rule that protect children and reduce lead exposure. Click here for more information about the RRP Rule including certification and training opportunities in your area. 
 
Click here to read EPA's memorandum announcing its decision and here for a related Associated Press story.