Green Seal Launches New GS-11 Paint Standard
A new paint certification standard from Green Seal ramps up requirements for reducing VOC (volatile organic compound) levels for base paint and colorants, widens the number of prohibited chemicals and offers guidelines for expanding consumer education.
A new paint certification standard from Green Seal ramps up requirements for reducing VOC (volatile organic compound) levels for base paint and colorants, widens the number of prohibited chemicals and offers guidelines for expanding consumer education.
The new edition of
GS-11 prohibits chemicals such as carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, hazardous air pollutants and ozone- depleting compounds. This eliminates formulation loopholes in the first edition of GS-11, which prohibited 25 chemicals such as toluene, benzene and formaldehyde, but made it possible to substitute a chemical that was equally hazardous as these substances.
The new standard is the first paint standard in the US to reduce the VOC levels of colorants, according to Green Seal. In addition, a more direct test method for VOC levels that produces a more accurate reading even at low levels has been incorporated into the standard.
Manufacturers are required to include instructions for buying only the amount needed so there is less leftover paint and encourage recycling or proper disposal of the unused paint.
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