WASHINGTON, DC – Results of a comprehensive survey of America’s window and door dealers will send an unequivocal message to regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency: adding the proposed lead clearance testing and third-party validation amendment to its recently enacted lead paint rule could drive a proverbial nail in the industry’s coffin.
The survey, conducted earlier this month by the Window & Door Dealer Alliance (WDDA), offered overwhelming evidence that EPA’s lead paint rule has already had a devastating impact on the industry. Fully 80% of respondents reported experiencing an increase in hard and/or soft costs since the LRRP rule went into effect on April 22. Even more alarming, three out of four firms say they have already lost business due to the rule.
“The idea that EPA would follow so closely behind one onerous new regulation with even more stringent and costly requirements is incomprehensible to most window and door dealers,” said David Walker, vice president of the WDDA. “It’s analogous to raising federal fuel economy standards on automakers by five miles-per-gallon one month, then boosting it to 10 miles-per-gallon two months later. We haven’t even had a chance to adapt to the first rule yet, and they’re already socking us with another.”
On Tuesday, June 29th, the WDDA will hand-deliver its formal comments - supported by roughly 200 letters from individual dealers representing nearly every state - in opposition to the EPA’s proposed Clearance Testing Requirements for the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The submission will include the WDDA’s Statement of Principles which details the organization’s concerns with the proposed requirements and was endorsed by more than 70% of survey respondents.
“Our industry is steadfastly opposed to this over-reaching and unduly accelerated proposal,” continued Walker. “Should the Clearance Testing Requirements become law, there is no doubt it will stifle work for our dealers, leading to widespread job cuts and further restraining our economic rebound.”
The WDDA’s cover letter states: “Given our documented concerns associated with the existing lead paint rule, and the projected deleterious effects of the new proposals, we implore the Environmental Protection Agency to either eliminate the RRP Lead Clearance testing program altogether, or at a minimum, to defer its implementation indefinitely until sufficient data can be collected and analyzed to determine whether or not the new requirements are cost-effective.”
About WDDA
The Window & Door Dealers Alliance (WDDA) is the only business organization advancing the vital interests of independent window and door dealers. The primary mission of the WDDA is to represent the interests of retail, wholesale, and dealers of new and replacement windows, doors, skylights, and related building products. Based outside Washington, DC, the WDDA offers education and training through MyWindowClass.com – a state-of-the-art online training resource. In addition, the WDDA serves the industry and general public with its Website: www.wddalliance.org. The WDDA is an initiative of the National Glass Association.
Source: Window and Door Dealers Alliance, www.wddalliance.org
The survey, conducted earlier this month by the Window & Door Dealer Alliance (WDDA), offered overwhelming evidence that EPA’s lead paint rule has already had a devastating impact on the industry. Fully 80% of respondents reported experiencing an increase in hard and/or soft costs since the LRRP rule went into effect on April 22. Even more alarming, three out of four firms say they have already lost business due to the rule.
“The idea that EPA would follow so closely behind one onerous new regulation with even more stringent and costly requirements is incomprehensible to most window and door dealers,” said David Walker, vice president of the WDDA. “It’s analogous to raising federal fuel economy standards on automakers by five miles-per-gallon one month, then boosting it to 10 miles-per-gallon two months later. We haven’t even had a chance to adapt to the first rule yet, and they’re already socking us with another.”
On Tuesday, June 29th, the WDDA will hand-deliver its formal comments - supported by roughly 200 letters from individual dealers representing nearly every state - in opposition to the EPA’s proposed Clearance Testing Requirements for the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The submission will include the WDDA’s Statement of Principles which details the organization’s concerns with the proposed requirements and was endorsed by more than 70% of survey respondents.
“Our industry is steadfastly opposed to this over-reaching and unduly accelerated proposal,” continued Walker. “Should the Clearance Testing Requirements become law, there is no doubt it will stifle work for our dealers, leading to widespread job cuts and further restraining our economic rebound.”
The WDDA’s cover letter states: “Given our documented concerns associated with the existing lead paint rule, and the projected deleterious effects of the new proposals, we implore the Environmental Protection Agency to either eliminate the RRP Lead Clearance testing program altogether, or at a minimum, to defer its implementation indefinitely until sufficient data can be collected and analyzed to determine whether or not the new requirements are cost-effective.”
About WDDA
The Window & Door Dealers Alliance (WDDA) is the only business organization advancing the vital interests of independent window and door dealers. The primary mission of the WDDA is to represent the interests of retail, wholesale, and dealers of new and replacement windows, doors, skylights, and related building products. Based outside Washington, DC, the WDDA offers education and training through MyWindowClass.com – a state-of-the-art online training resource. In addition, the WDDA serves the industry and general public with its Website: www.wddalliance.org. The WDDA is an initiative of the National Glass Association.
Source: Window and Door Dealers Alliance, www.wddalliance.org
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