What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds are materials that evaporate readily into the atmosphere from a number of sources.
Where do VOCs come from?
Vehicle exhausts, aircraft, cleaning agents, fabric softeners and paints.
Why do we have VOCs in paint?
White Spirit plays an important role in controlling the application properties, the flow and the drying rates of paints. VOCs from paint account for less than 1% of the total amount emitted in the UK.
Are there VOCs in water based paints?
Yes, in the form of small amounts of additives which aid the flow and slow down the drying time of the paint.
Why the legislation?
VOCs in the atmosphere react with sunlight and create low level ozone and photochemical smogs. This poses a health risk to humans, animals and plants. VOCs contribute to air pollution and are seen to play a role in global warming.
Are there any exclusions?
Aerosols, liquid sanders, sugar soap, brush cleaners, fillers, sealants, caulks and colorants for tinting are all examples of products excluded from the legislation.
When will the current products cease to be available?
All products manufactured from 1st Jan 2010 must be compliant to the new regulations. Any products manufactured before that date can be sold for 12 months.
What effect will it have on me?
For most products there will be no significant changes however for solvent based trim products there will be major changes but…DON’T WORRY…Johnstone’s have already carried out substantial research amongst a cross section of decorators and have now begun ongoing trials with a number of possible new formulations to give you a say in the future of trim products. Be assured that we are working hard to make sure that the changes you will notice will be minimal, solvent based trim products will still be available, thus VOC 2010 compliant products will have the same if not superior performance characteristics of those trim products you already know and love.
TRUST US – YOU’RE IN SAFE HANDS