Hinch Law

The US EPA has announced that it will not take enforcement action against home repair and remodeling contractor firms for failure to get certified until after October 1, 2010.  EPA will not enforce individual worker certifications so long as the individual has applied for a certification program by September 30, 2010, and completes the training by December 31, 2010.  In granting this extension, EPA noted concerns raised about the limited availability of qualified certification firms.  This decision allows contractors more time to find a qualified certification firm and complete the training. NOTE:  The substantive requirements of the Lead Paint "Renovate, Repair, Paint" (RRP) rule remain in effect and subject to compliance enforcement (such as the requirement to give the homeowner EPA's RRP pamphlet "Renovate Right," and to follow lead safe work practices, described here ). Thanks to the National Association of Home Builders for their efforts in working wit...

EPA's new renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) rules for remodeling contractors went into effect on April 22nd.   I wrote about this new rule on this page previously .  The Chicago Tribune ran an article over the weekend about the new rule and compliance issues.  The article does a good job at summarizing the issue - only about 200 out of 1,000 companies doing remodeling work in Illinois were RRP certified two days before the rule took effect, according to the EPA.   In the past months I have had the opportunity to discuss this rule with several chapters of the Home Builders Association of Illinois .  These groups have been very proactive in getting the word out to member contractors and scheduling training classes to help contractors get certified and comply with the new rule.  Also, the Illinois Department of Public Health's Lead Program has led a series of informational meetings around the State to inform contractors and answer questions about the...

April 22, 2010.  Why is this date important?  If you are a home repair or remodeling contractor, as of April 22 you must be certified as having completed an EPA-accredited training program prior to performing any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) in a home built before 1978, or in any child-occupied facility (typically child care facilities and schools).  This requirement is part of EPA's RRP regulations, which actually first became law in March 2008.  The RRP rules already require remodeling contractors working on pre-1978 homes to give homeowners a pamphlet entitled "Renovate Right" prior to starting work, and to keep a copy of a receipt signed by the homeowner confirming that you gave it to them. Penalties for non-compliance with the RRP rule include civil and criminal penalties, up to $25,000 per violation per day and one year's imprisonment, or both.  Lead-based paint is assumed to be present at renovations covered by the regulation (pre-1978 houses ...