EPA recently announced the delay of expanding its lead-paint rule to commercial facilities. The Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) went into effect in April 2010 and requires contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb more than six feet of lead-based paint in most pre-1978 homes, child care facilities, and schools must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead poisoning.
After the rule was finalized, the EPA began taking steps to introduce two additional rules that would have expanded this program to include interior and exterior work on commercial buildings. Under a settlement agreement issued earlier this fall, the EPA will merge the two rules regarding interior and exterior RRP activities on commercial buildings and will not issue another proposal until July 2015, with a final rule anticipated in January 2017.