Regulatory Framework:

Emissions from paint pale in comparison to emissions from transportation. For example, roughly 4% (or 1 billion lbs) of total green house emissions come from architectural coatings. Nonetheless, as we strive to improve health and overall indoor air quality, the paint industry is coming under increasing regulation - aimed primarily at reducing Volatile Organic Content (VOC) emission. In actuality, the paint industry has been on a steady path to delivering safer, healthier alternatives! For more than 50 years the industry began the transformation with the advancement of waterbased technologies (displacing the more environmentally harmful solvent based alternatives). With the passing of the Clean Air Act in 1970, the paint industry, particularly the NPCA (National Paint and Coatings Organization – www.paint.org), has worked with the government to achieve superior compliance with the law. Today, the trend is moving from national self regulation to more localities implementing specific targets for emissions.

For comprehensive information on the regulations please visit the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) site at www.epa.gov.