The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

Information by State  Print version   What's New The RRP Course This course was developed by the U.S. EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to train renovation, repair, and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and comply with EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. Below are links for the initial renovator model training course materials. The RRP course supersedes the lead-safe work practices (LSWP) courses titled Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair, and Painting (EPA 747-B-03-001/2) and Minimizing Lead-based Paint hazards During Renovation, Remodeling, and Painting (EPA 747-B-00-005/6). Visit EPA's "Model Renovator Training Course" website for course materials. Helpful Tools   Are you a Renovator?   How to comply with the LSHR and the RRP   Lead-hazard information for renovation, repair and painting activities in the EPA lead hazard information pamphlet   Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF)   En Español (PDF)   Lead-safe work practices for contractors in the EPA pamphlet Contractors:   Lead Safety During Renovation (PDF) color, in English   En Español (PDF)   HTML version   Other formats   How to comply with EPA's rule in the:   EPA Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right (PDF)   En Español (PDF)   Find additional EPA publications and brochures on lead-safe renovation, repair and painting and on lead poisoning prevention. Additional Information is available on EPA's RRP Website for States and Tribes | Property Owners of Rental Housing, Child-Occupied Facilities | Homeowners Working at Home | Tenants and Families of Children Under Age 6 in Child Care Facilities and Schools | Contractors Fee Rule Information for Training Providers | Lead Test Kit Vendors Related Notices, Final and Proposed Rules | EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

On April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Until that time, HUD and EPA recommend that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices. There are some differences between the EPA RRP Rule and the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule (LSHR). A major difference is that the LSHR requires clearance examinations. All housing receiving federal assistance must still comply with the LSHR. OHHLHC provides Information on complying with the LSHR and RRP. Additional information for renovators is available.

All contractors should follow these three simple procedures:

• Contain the work area.
• Minimize dust.
• Clean up thoroughly.

From December 2008, the rule has required that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint provide to owners and occupants of child care facilities and to parents and guardians of children under age six that attend child care facilities built prior to 1978 the lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) | en español (PDF)

Starting on April 22, 2010, the rule will affect paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including:

• Renovation contractors
• Maintenance workers in multi-family housing
• Painters and other specialty trades.

Read EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule.

Additional information on becoming an EPA-certified renovator or training provider is available on EPA's Renovator and Trainer Tool Box site.

Effective Dates of the Rule