EPA Summit to include Paint Regulation Compliance Session

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold its 2008 Environmental Summit in Washington, D.C. later this month where its Environmental Assistance Network (EAN) will sponsor a special session May 21 to discuss environmental assistance opportunities and needs. The session will focus on the retail sector and paints and coating area sources.

            The U.S. EPA Web site contains a range of compliance, sustainability and pollution prevention materials available for the retail sector of the industry. The EAN will discuss how this information may be consolidated and made more accessible through such actions as the development of an agency-wide retail sector Web portal.

            The EPA released the paint stripping miscellaneous surface coating regulation Jan. 1 of this year. Approximately 60,000 auto body shops must comply with this regulation by 2011. The EPA has developed training and outreach programs to assist with compliance.

            The Automotive Service Association also developed a Paint Regulation Compliance Summary available to ASA members in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site, www.ASAshop.org. To view the entire refinishing regulation, see ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. Excerpts from the U.S. EPA Web site containing compliance, sustainability and pollution prevention materials can be found on ASA’s Web site in the Press Center under References and Bills.