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Canadian Paint and Coatings Industry Getting New Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Regulations The federal government has announced new, more stringent draft regulations to control VOC emission from automotive refinish and architectural and industrial maintenance coatings in Canada.

“The paints and coatings industry has worked very hard as an industry over the last twenty years to reduce VOC emissions in paint and coating products. During that time industry has voluntarily reduced AIM VOC emissions from its products by more than 50 per cent,” said Jim Quick, President of the CPCA. “These new regulations will give us an additional 30 per cent reduction for total of 80 percent.”

“On the automotive refinish side, industry has voluntarily reduced emissions by more than 40 per cent over 1994 levels,” say Quick. “The Government expects the new regulation could reduce 2005 emission levels by an additional 40 per cent.”

The draft regulations came as a result of consultations and formal submissions from industry and other stakeholders over the last two years.

“While the industry has done a good job creating and introducing products that are more environment and consumer friendly, we will be significantly challenged to meet the new VOC standards set by government,” says Brian Edwards, Chairman of the board of Directors for CPCA. “These new regulations will put Canada among the most stringent jurisdictions in the world with respect to VOC emission controls.”

“Canadians should be proud that they have the highest standards of product safety in the world. This is based on a long and successful history of collaboration between government, industry, and consumers,” explains Edwards. “Our industry is governed by hundreds of federal and provincial pieces of legislation, as well as hundreds more regulations and self-imposed standards – all of which the paint and coatings industry meets or regularly exceeds.”

CPCA and the federal government are working together to ease the burden on industry as a result of the new regulations and to ensure an orderly compliance.

The Canadian paint and coatings industry is committed to protection of the environment, enhancing human health and the quality of life through the responsible formulation, production, and sale of high quality, safe products.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Jim Quick, President, Canadian Paint and Coatings Association, (613) 231-3604

Editors Note: The following information is provided as background information on VOCs and the Canadian paint and coatings industry

CPCA - The National Voice of the Paint and Coatings Sector

The Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA) was founded in 1913. It represents the major paint and coating manufacturers and the most important suppliers to the paint and coatings industry in Canada. The sector has annual shipments of approximately $2 billion. Up to 216 paint manufacturing establishments operating in Canada count on more than 6,000 production and administrative employees

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are organic compounds containing one or more carbon atoms that have high vapour pressures and therefore evaporate readily to the atmosphere. VOCs do not include photochemically non-reactive compounds such as methane, ethane and the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). VOC emissions result from natural and anthropogenic (man made) sources. Natural sources of VOCs include vegetation, forest fires, and animals. The major anthropogenic sources of concern of VOCs in Canada are the transportation sector, the use of solvents and solvent containing products, and industrial sources.

Architectural and Industrial Maintenance (Aim) Coatings

The architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings sector is comprised of coatings which are purchased and applied by both consumers and contractors. Products include paints, stains, varnishes and many other types of coating and sealing products which are intended for in-situ application to buildings, furniture, pavement, concrete, metal and a wide variety of surfaces present in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial settings.

Automotive Refinish Coatings (ARC)

Automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners are applied to motor vehicles and mobile equipment (including cars, motorcycles, trucks, truck trailers, street cleaners, and farm equipment) to refinish or decorate the surface. Waterborne basecoat technology is the only technology currently available to the coatings companies to achieve compliance with the proposed VOC regulation and meet the appearance necessary for an automobile repair. This technology is significantly more sensitive to climate conditions and contamination than those currently used in the industry.

Did you know?
“Hiding pigments” conceal underlying colors. The main hiding pigment in paints, titanium dioxide, is also used in foods and personal care items like toothpastes.