WASHINGTON, DC - On June 18, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the delay of enforcement of the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulations that had been put into effect on April 22, 2010.

Until October 1, 2010, EPA will not take enforcement action for violations of the RRP Rule's firm certification requirement. For violations of the RRP Rule's renovation worker certification requirement, EPA will not enforce against individual renovation workers if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, by not later than Sept. 30, 2010, a certified renovator class to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with the final rules. Renovators must complete the training by Dec. 31, 2010.

The June 18 EPA delay notice follows the introduction of an amendment within the Fiscal Year 2010 Emergency Appropriation Bill from Senator Susan Collins (R- Maine). The amendment would prevent EPA from fining contractors for noncompliance with the training requirements for lead paint hazard mitigation if the contractors sign up for the mandatory EPA training by Sept. 30, 2010.