Professional Remodelers Should Apply Now for Lead Certification

Time is running short to get the application for firm certification filled out and approved ahead of the effective date for EPA's Lead Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule on April 22.

The agency has up to 90 days to approve a company certification, and applying today makes it less likely that the form will be delayed by the bottleneck that is expected as many professionals scramble to meet the deadline. In fact, remodeling firms that have already submitted their applications are reporting that EPA is taking as long as two months to approve them. And because of this backlog, "Remodeling firms should start applying for firm certification ASAP, even if no one in the firm has completed the required training yet," says NAHB environmental policy analyst Matt Watkins.

Meanwhile, NAHB continues to meet with EPA officials to resolve ongoing concerns about the new rule, including the potential for some contracted remodeling jobs to become do-it-yourself projects where home owners do not take the necessary precautions to avoid lead paint exposure in children. Other major concerns include the fact that, despite the looming deadline, the EPA has not started any outreach, promotion or advertising to let the public know about the new rule. The agency has, however, indicated that it will release a preliminary marketing campaign at the end of February. Read more here.