Environmental Impact
What is the Industry doing about reducing the environmental impact of paints and varnishes?
As part of the industry’s decorative coatings environmental policy, coatings suppliers are committed to doing the following:
- Limiting the amount of VOC allowed in all coating products and reducing these limits over the coming years.
- Introducing new and alternative products with lower VOC levels.
- Introducing a labelling system to inform you of the VOC content of each decorative coating product, (there is a legal requirement fo companies to label all decorative products with their VOC content, however this is for regulatory puposes and will not necessarily be obvious to consumers.)
- A 5-band classification (often referred to as the 'globe') shows the VOC content: Minimal; Low; Medium; High and Very high.
- Giving advice on how to minimise the amount of waste coating generated, and how to re-use or dispose of it safely.
- Working with local authorities to encourage facilities for waste coatings collection.
For further information see the BCF leaflet "Decorative Coatings and the Environment – a Consumer Guide".
