Reduce VOC emissions

Reduction of VOCs in paint and coating products is regulated in the EU by the Directive 2004/42/EC on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds and its rules are implemented by the national authorities. Thus by introducing new paint products to the market, VOC reduction is one of the sustainability supporting objectives.

VOC emissions from paint products are associated primarily with the use of solvents. In order to achieve zero VOC emissions, it is necessary to modify the paint formulation, substantially reducing VOC emissions in raw materials.

Typical VOCs

Formaldehyde
Xylene
Acetaldehyde
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Toluene
1,4-Dichlorbenzene
Tetrachloroethene
Ethylbenzene
Styrene
2-Butoxyethanol

VOC limits are strictly regulated. The Paints Directive, Green Procurement and the European Ecolabel are instruments to limit and promote reduced VOC emissions. When planning and developing new paint products, special attention should be paid to the g/l emission requirements.

How do the ecolabels in Europe and the practice of Green Public Procurement (GPP) support reduction of VOCs in paint and coating products?

This analysis is designed to provide an overview of the ecolabels in Europe and Green Public Procurement (GPP) requirements towards VOC emissions. Producers of paint and coating products can choose to apply for the EU Ecolabel in order to use it for a specific product group or qualify for the participation in the GPP, when certain VOC emission requirements are met. The products are categorised in 13 product groups according to the standards and criteria overseen by the European Commission. It should be noted that the GPP criteria are indicative. The EU member states have the rights to apply and adjust them individually.

Updated on the 9th August, 2021

	EU Green public procurement criteria (2018)¹ %, w/w	EU EcoLabel (2014)² %, w/w	Nordic Swan (2021)³ %, w/w	Blue Angel (2019)⁴ %, w/w
Interior matt walls and ceilings (Gloss <25@60°)	1%	1%	1%	0.07%
Interior glossy walls and ceilings (Gloss >25@60°)	4%	4%	4%	0.07%
Exterior walls of mineral substrate	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%	(non-volatile-matter content <20 %) 2% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 20 % to < 30 %) 8% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 30 %) 10%
Indoor trim and cladding paints for wood and metal	8%	8%	8%	0.07%
Outdoor trim and cladding paints for wood and metal	8%	8%	7.50%	(non-volatile-matter content <20 %) 2% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 20 % to < 30 %) 8% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 30 %) 10%
Indoor trim varnishes and woodstains, including opaque woodstains	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%	0.07%
Outdoor trim varnishes and woodstains, including opaque woodstains	7.50%	7.50%	6.50%	(non-volatile-matter content <20 %) 2% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 20 % to < 30 %) 8% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 30 %) 10%
Indoor minimal build woodstains	5%	5%	5%	0.07%
Outdoor minimal build woodstains	5%	5%	5%	(non-volatile-matter content <20 %) 2% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 20 % to < 30 %) 8% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 30 %) 10%
Primers (indoor)	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%	0.07%
Primers (outdoor)	1.50%	1.50%	1%	(non-volatile-matter content <20 %) 2% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 20 % to < 30 %) 8% (non-volatile-matter content ≥ 30 %) 10%
Binding primers (indoor)	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%	0.07%
Binding primers (outdoor)	1.50%	1.50%	1%	-
One-pack performance coatings	8%	8%	8%	-
Two-pack reactive performance coatings for specific end use such as floors (indoor)	8%	8%	8%	-
Two-pack reactive performance coatings for specific end use such as floors (outdoor)	8%	8%	6.50%
Decorative effect coatings	8%	8%	8%	-
Anti-rust paints	8%	8%	-	-

Paints For Life do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information collected and represented in the table. To make sure the information is correct, please visit data sources indicated below.