MEMPHIS, TN — The National Hardwood Lumber Assn. (NHLA), a hardwood industry association representing 1,400 companies and individuals, evaluates hardwood lumber grading rules and accepts rules change proposals every four years, and will be accepting new official rules change proposals until March 31.

After official rules change proposals have been submitted to NHLA, the Rules Committee will convene a special meeting to consider the merits of each proposal. All members will be notified of the time and date of this meeting and are welcome to attend to voice their opinions regarding these proposals. At this special meeting, the Rules Committee will decide which proposals will be placed on the ballot for a vote by the NHLA active membership later in the year. All members will be notified in writing after this special meeting which rules change proposals will be placed on the ballot.

A rules change will be adopted by the NHLA upon such change receiving a favorable vote on a two-thirds majority of the votes properly cast by the NHLA active membership. New rules will become official Jan. 1, 2011.

“This rules change process is an integral part of being an NHLA member,” said Mark Horne, NHLA chief inspector. “With international markets growing, the need to simplify hardwood lumber ‘language’ is as important as ever before. We are encouraging NHLA members to take the time to talk with key employees to determine which rules need improvement, and to submit proposals by the March 31 deadline.”

Proposals should be emailed to: [email protected], faxed to: (901) 382-6419  Attn: Chief Inspector, Mark Horne or mailed to: NHLA, Attn: Chief Inspector, Mark Horne, P.O. Box 34518, Memphis, TN 38184-0518.