Frequently asked questions on the UK 2010 VOC emission regulations
What is the official name and what's the legislation in the UK
The official name of the legislation is EU directive 2004/42/EC. Within UK legislation, this EU directive has been introduced under the name The Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products regulations 2005.
Most people refer to it as “VOC regulations”
What are they about?
VOC regulations introduce new, limits on the total amount of VOCs (TVOC) that can be contained in decorative paints, stains, lacquers etc . Products are divided into different categories, and within each categories, different limits apply to solvent and water-based products.
This table shows you which VOC content limits apply to which product grouping:
| Product subcategory | Type | g/L VOC limit from 01/01/2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Matt coatings for interior wall & ceilings | WB SB | 30 30 |
| Glossy coatings for interior walls & ceilings | WB SB | 100 100 |
| Coatings for exterior walls of mineral substrates | WB SB | 40 430 |
| Interior/exterior trim & cladding paints for wood, metal & plastic | WB SB | 130 300 |
| Interior & exterior trim varnishes & woodstains | WB SB | 130 700 |
| Primers | WB SB | 30 350 |
| Binding primers | WB SB | 30 750 |
| One-pack performance coatings | WB SB | 140 500 |
| Binding primers | WB SB | 30 750 |
| Two-pack performance coatings | WB SB | 140 500 |
| Multi-coloured coatings | WB SB | 100 100 |
| Decorative effect coatings | WB SB | 100 400 |
- WM = Water-based
- SB = Solvent-based
VOC limits in the table above came into force as of January 1st 2010 as such companies can no longer manufacture products which do not comply to the limits in the table above, however during the whole of 2010 non-compliant products can still be sold legally.
The final cut-off date from where no more non-compliant products can be sold is January 1st 2011.
Are all Valtti products VOC 2010 Compliant
Yes
Do low VOC's affect Durability?
No.
TIKKURILA have been at the forefront of waterborne low VOC paints for over 30 years so they have a massive head start. All of the low VOC products they produce have been tested in the marketplace for years. See our case studies section.
