EPA Update To Renovator’s Regulations

By Nancy K. Crevier

Connecticut renovators received an update Thursday, July 1, to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead laws that went into effect this past April. (See July 16 Newtown Bee, “EPA Lead Law Means Headaches For Contractors, Higher Prices For Consumers.”) This spring’s new regulations were put in place for consumer safety, particularly that of children, when renovating, repairing, or painting any home, business, or school built prior to 1978.

Effective July 6, the EPA is removing the owner-occupied opt-out provision, which had allowed homeowners who occupied a home, and had no young children, to waive the contractors’ adherence to the lead law requirements.

The changes also require post-renovation disclosure to owners and occupants as to how the firm complied with the rules, to be supplied with the final invoice, or within 30 days of the job ending. Contractors must follow further notification steps when working in a common-area of a multifamily building.

While the EPA announced June 18 a delay in the enforcement of certification requirements, the update emphasized that the EPA did not delay the law or enforcement of it. Work practice requirements, including containment, avoiding prohibited practices, correctly cleaning, and performing cleaning verification, as well as documentation, are still in force.

The EPA is also considering yet more changes to the renovator’s regulation rules for next summer, including a proposal that lead dust testing be performed after certain renovations. This may require further training for anyone involved in renovation, repairs, or home improvement.

Bruce Goulart, an area contractor for more than 40 years, commented that the law is quite complicated, and will no doubt result in increased costs for both contractors and homeowners doing home improvement.

For more information, visit epa.gov/lead.