ANNEX I
EU Ecolabel criteria for awarding the EU Ecolabel to decorative paints, varnishes, and related products
The EU Ecolabel criteria target the best paints, varnishes, and related products on the market, in terms of environmental performance. The criteria focus on the main environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of these products and promote circular economy aspects.
Assessment and verification requirements
For the EU Ecolabel to be awarded to a specific product, the product shall comply with each requirement. The applicant shall provide a written confirmation stating that all the criteria are fulfilled.
Specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.
Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show compliance with the criteria, these may originate from the applicant and/or their supplier(s) as appropriate.
Competent bodies shall preferentially recognise attestations that are issued by bodies accredited in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard for testing and calibration laboratories, and verifications by bodies that are accredited in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard for bodies certifying products, processes, and services.
Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if the competent body assessing the application accepts their equivalence.
Where appropriate, competent bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifications or site inspections to check compliance with these criteria.
Changes in suppliers and production sites pertaining to products to which the EU Ecolabel has been awarded shall be notified to competent bodies, together with supporting information to enable verification of continued compliance with the criteria.
As pre-requisite, the product shall meet all respective legal requirements of the country or countries in which the product is intended to be placed on the market. The applicant shall declare the product’s compliance with this requirement.
The following information shall be provided together with the application for the EU Ecolabel:
|
(a) |
A list of all individual paint and varnish products covered by the EU Ecolabel application, grouped into product families and indicating any relevant product characteristics that affect which specific requirements from the EU Ecolabel criteria would apply. A family of products will all have the same base formulation and product subcategory, but may differ in terms of shade and/or packaging format. |
|
(b) |
A description of the product formulation(s), with a % composition of the ingredients used and the specific function of each ingredient (the composition information may be subject to a non-disclosure agreement between the applicant and the competent body or, in some cases, directly between the supplier and the competent body). Ingredient functions shall be either: accelerator; additive; anti-blocking agent; anti-foaming agent; anti-settling agent; anti-skinning agent; binder; coalescing agent; colourant-dyestuff; colourant-pigment; crosslinking agent; curing agent/hardener; diluent; dispersing agent; drier; filler; dry-film preservative; in-can preservative; matting agent; neutralising agent; optical brightener; plasticiser; polymer dispersion; preservative stabiliser; resin; retarder; rheological modifier; silicone resin; solvent; surfactant; UV stabiliser; water; water-repelling agent or, in case none of these apply, ‘other’. |
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(c) |
Safety data sheets for the ingredients used in the paint and varnish formulations. |
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(d) |
Any other information associated with the production of ingredients and materials that is necessary for demonstrating compliance with the EU Ecolabel criteria shall be provided by the suppliers or producers of those ingredients and materials. |
|
(e) |
In order to help determine the number of products within any given family of products, a description of the packaging format(s) used, the volume(s) of product held and the packaging material(s) used for each of the paint and varnish products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. |
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(f) |
In order to reduce the quantity of testing and documentation required for assessment and verification procedures, several criteria explicitly state that compliance of an entire family of products can be assumed if the worst-case product can be shown to comply. Each time data for a worst-case product is submitted, it shall be accompanied by an explanation of why this particular product represents the worst-case within its family of products for the property being tested. |
Criterion 1. Titanium dioxide production
If the final product contains more than 3,0 % w/w of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, the emissions to air and water from the production of any titanium dioxide pigment used shall meet the relevant requirements listed below for the respective production processes:
Table 1
Requirements for Titanium Dioxide production
|
Parameter and analytical method |
Sulphate process |
Chloride process |
|
Emissions of dust to air (1) (measured with the relevant European or international standards) |
≤ 0,40 kg/t TiO2 pigment |
≤ 0,66 kg/t TiO2 pigment |
|
Emissions of SO2 to air (1) (measured with the relevant European or international standards) |
≤ 4,5 kg/t TiO2 pigment |
n/a |
|
Emissions of HCl to air (1) (measured with the relevant European or international standards) |
n/a |
≤ 0,70 kg/t TiO2 pigment |
|
Emissions of SO4 2- to water (measured with the relevant European or international standards) |
≤ 300 kg SO4 2-/t TiO2 pigment |
n/a |
|
Emissions of Cl- to water (measured using the mass balance method or with the relevant European or international standards) |
n/a |
≤ 103 kg Cl-/t TiO2 pigment (2) ≤ 179 kg Cl-/t TiO2 pigment (3) ≤ 329 kg Cl-/t TiO2 pigment (4) |
|
Low dust working environment |
To be demonstrated |
To be demonstrated |
Emissions to air shall be counted from the relevant point source(s) stated in point (1) above where emissions can be continuously or periodically monitored from a fixed sampling point after any exhaust gas abatement system(s).
Emissions to water shall be considered as sulphate or chloride present in any treated wastewater effluent that is discharged into any rivers, lakes, transitional waters, coastal waters or seawaters.
The relevant limit for chloride emissions to water shall be based on the weighted average % TiO2 content of ore(s) used during the calculation period.
A low dust working environment shall, as a minimum, include the follows aspects:
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— |
A risk assessment for the workplace that identifies all the main areas of potential dust emission and worker exposure to dust. |
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— |
The need to have in place an occupational hygiene workplace monitoring program. |
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— |
Provision of appropriate training to employees about good practice for dust control. |
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— |
Provision of adequate personal protective equipment to employees and visitors. |
Assessment and verification
The applicant shall declare the content of TiO2 used in each of the product formulations subject to the EU Ecolabel license application. For any products with more than 3,0 % w/w TiO2 pigment content, the applicant shall also declare the supplier or suppliers of the TiO2 used in those products.
The applicant declaration shall be supported by declarations from their TiO2 supplier(s) (or TiO2 producer(s), if different) stating:
|
— |
The type of TiO2 production process used (chloride or sulphate). |
|
— |
The applicable TiO2 content range of the weighted average ore in case of the chloride process. |
|
— |
Annual average emissions data of dust to air, SO2 to air, and SO4 2- to water for TiO2 produced through the sulphate process. Alternatively, average emission data of dust to air, HCl to air, and Cl- to water for TiO2 produced through the chloride process. |
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— |
The declarations from TiO2 supplier(s) (or TiO2 producer(s), if different) should include the relevant European or international standards used to measure the relevant parameters listed in the Table 1. |
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— |
The measures in place to ensure a low dust working environment. |
The declaration from the TiO2 supplier(s) (or TiO2 producer(s), if different) shall include a basic calculation about how the annual average emissions were obtained. If the production of the supplied TiO2 pigment is non-continuous, then emission data calculations covering a shorter period than 12 months may be accepted. In cases of continuous monitoring, the annual average emission concentrations shall be derived from daily average concentrations. For periodically monitored emissions, at least 3 samples must be taken to derive the average results. Any periodic sampling must be taken during periods of stable operation that are representative of normal plant conditions for the production of the TiO2 pigments used in the EU Ecolabel paint products.
The emission calculations shall only be required to be submitted at the date of application for the EU Ecolabel. If the EU Ecolabel is awarded, the applicant can simply request updated declarations each year from their TiO2 supplier(s) of continuing compliance with the emission limits.
For emissions to air, concentrations shall be expressed in units of mg/Nm3 and multiplied by a specific emission air flow rate in units of Nm3/tonne TiO2 pigment production for the same time period that the data was collected. If there is more than one exhaust gas abatement system for major point sources of emissions to air, emissions from the clean air from each abatement system shall be counted and added.
For emissions to water, either a direct measurement or a mass balance approach shall be used. The mass balance approach shall be based on the balance between inputs of raw sulphate/chloride and outputs of sulphate/chloride in by-products, in emissions to air and in solid waste that is disposed of to landfill or incinerated. The difference in the masses of the inputs and outputs shall be considered as the mass of sulphate/chloride that is emitted to water during the calculation period and shall be divided by the estimated quantity of TiO2 pigment produced during the same period to calculate specific emissions to water in units of kg sulphate or chloride/t TiO2 pigment.
With the direct measurement approach for emissions to water, measured concentrations in units of g/m3 shall be multiplied by a specific treated wastewater effluent flow rate in units of m3/tonne TiO2 pigment production for the same time period that the sulphate/chloride data was collected.
Criterion 2. Efficiency in use requirements
In order to demonstrate the efficiency in use of decorative paints, varnishes, and related products, the following tests per type of product, as indicated in Table 2 and detailed in the criterion text later, shall be undertaken.
Table 2
Performance requirements for different kinds of decorative paints, varnishes, and related products
|
Criteria |
Decorative paint and varnish categories (with their subcategories identified according to the Directive 2004/42/EC) |
‘Just add water’ decorative paints or varnishes for use on buildings, their trim, fittings or associated structures |
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|
Indoor wall and ceiling paint (a, b) |
Outdoor mineral substrate paint (c) |
Trim and cladding paints (d) |
Varnishes and woodstains (e, f) |
Primers (g) |
Binding primers (h) |
||||
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Opaque only |
Opaque only |
Paints: Yes Varnishes: No |
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|
WSR and WPC |
WPC only |
WPC only |
Neither |
Opaque only (WPC only) |
Opaque only (WPC only) |
Paints: WPC (and WSR if marketed as subcategory a or b) Varnishes: Neither |
||
|
No |
No |
No |
Yes, except minimal build woodstains |
No |
No |
Paints: No Varnishes: Only if marketed as subcategory e or f |
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|
No |
No |
Opaque undercoats only |
No |
Opaque and for masonry only |
Opaque and for masonry only |
No |
||
|
No |
Yes |
Outdoor only |
Outdoor only |
No |
No |
Only if marketed for outdoor application |
||
|
No |
If claimed |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
||
|
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
||
|
If claimed |
If claimed |
If claimed |
No |
No |
No |
If claimed |
||
|
No |
If claimed |
If claimed |
No |
No |
No |
If claimed |
||
|
No |
If claimed |
No |
No |
No |
No |
If claimed |
||
|
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
For outdoor masonry systems |
For outdoor masonry systems |
Only if marketed as subcategory c |
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2(a) Spreading rate
|
Note 1: |
This requirement does not apply to varnishes, lasures, transparent adhesion primers or any other transparent or semi-transparent coatings. |
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Note 2. |
For tinting systems, this criterion applies only to the tinting base containing the most TiO2 in terms of g/l of tinting base. In cases where this tinting base is unable to achieve this requirement, the criterion shall be met after tinting the base to produce the standard colour RAL 9010. |
|
Note 3. |
This requirement applies to all white paints. For families of paint products available only in preset shades, the spreading rate shall apply to the lightest colour. |
Spreading rates shall be calculated while ensuring a hiding power of at least 98 % according to relevant European or international standards or an equivalent method that can be validated against them. The following minimum spreading rate limits apply:
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— |
Indoor white paints and light-coloured paints, including finishing coats and intermediate coats (subcategories a and b), shall have a spreading rate of at least 8 m2 per litre of product. |
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— |
Outdoor white and light-coloured paints, including finishing coats and intermediate coats (subcategory c), shall have a spreading rate of at least 6 m2 per litre of product. Products marketed for both indoor and outdoor application shall meet the higher spreading rate requirement of at least 8 m2 per litre. |
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— |
Opaque primers and undercoats (sub-categories g and h) shall have a spreading rate of at least 8 m2 per litre of product, or of at least 6 m2 per litre of product in the cases of opaque primers with specific blocking, sealing, penetrating, binding or special adhesion properties. |
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— |
Opaque elastomeric paints (subcategory c, but with crack-bridging claims) shall have a spreading rate of at least 4 m2 per litre of product. |
For paints that are a part of a tinting system, the applicant must advise the end-user on the product packaging and at the point of sale (POS) which shade or primer/undercoat (if possible, bearing the EU Ecolabel) should be used as a basecoat before applying the darker shade.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant spreading rate limits or a justification of non-applicability of the spreading rate requirement for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. The declaration shall be supported by test results according to relevant European or international standards or an equivalent method that can be validated against them. It shall be clearly indicated which spreading rate results correspond to which families of products covered by the EU Ecolabel license application.
The highest TiO2 content tinting base shall be identified by presenting safety data sheets for them or a suitable declaration that covers all tinting bases within a given family of products. For bases used to produce tinted products that have not been evaluated according to the abovementioned requirements, the applicant shall provide evidence of how the end-user will be advised to use a relevant primer and/or grey (or other relevant shade) of undercoat before application of the product.
2(b) Wet scrub resistance and white pigment content
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Note: |
This criterion only applies to paint products and white pigment content shall be calculated with the same products for which spreading rate is measured as per the notes in criterion 2(a). For the purposes of this criterion, the term ‘white pigment’, shall be considered to refer only to pigments with a refractive index higher than 1,8. |
Any indoor wall and ceiling paint products that claim wet scrub resistance must meet the requirements for class 1 or class 2 according to the procedure defined in relevant European or international standards and the classification systems and comply with the respective upper limits for white pigment content defined in the table below. All other relevant products that do not make wet scrub resistance claims must comply with the corresponding white pigment content limit defined in the Table 3.
Table 3
Requirements for wet scrub resistance and white pigment content for paint products
|
Wet scrub resistance claim? (product subcategory) |
Wet scrub resistance |
White pigment content |
|
Yes (a), b), or just add water paints marketed as a) or b)) |
Class 1 |
≤ 40 g/m2 (*1) |
|
Yes (a), b), or just add water paints marketed as a) or b)) |
Class 2 |
≤ 36 g/m2 (*1) |
|
No (a), b), or just add water paints marketed as a) or b)) |
n/a |
≤ 25 g/m2 (*1) |
|
n/a (all other relevant subcategories: c), d), g) or h), or just add water paints marketed as c), d), g) or h)) |
n/a |
≤ 38 g/m2 (*1) |
|
n/a (varnishes and woodstains: e) or f)) |
n/a |
n/a |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. In cases of relevant products, the applicant shall declare the total content of white pigments with a refractive index > 1,8 in the final product, relevant tinting base or light base paint formulations that are subject to the EU Ecolabel license application. This information shall be provided in terms of the chemical name and CAS number of the white pigment, its declared refractive index, its concentration in g/l of paint product and the density of the paint, in g/l. The spreading rate of the paint product, in l/m2 for a dry film of at least 98 % opacity according to relevant European or international standards, shall also be stated (as per criterion 2(a)). Multiplying the white pigment concentration (in g/l) by the spreading rate (in l/m2) will produce white pigment levels in units of g/m2 that can be compared to the limits in the table above.
Except in cases where the content of white pigments is < 25,0 g/m2 and no claims of wet scrub resistance are made, the applicant shall also provide results of wet scrub resistance testing according to the relevant European or international standards that show that the products meet the applicable class 1 or class 2 resistance requirements defined in other relevant European or international standards.
2(c) Resistance to water
|
Note: |
In varnish or woodstain coating systems with a primer, either the full coating system or just the finishing layer may be tested. |
Cured coatings shall have resistance to water, as determined by relevant European or international standards, such that after 24 hours of exposure and 16 hours of recovery, no change of gloss is observed in transparent or semi-transparent coatings.
No change of gloss in exposed samples shall be considered as a visual rating of 0 when measured for quantity of defects, size of defects and intensity of changes according to the classification system of relevant European or international standards.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirement for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application.
For any varnish or woodstain products included in their license application, the applicant declaration shall be supported by copies of test report(s) following relevant European or international standards that cover the licensed product or family of products, including reported results for change of gloss according to relevant European or international standards.
If the exemption for minimal build woodstains is applied, the applicant shall justify the exemption by providing test reports according to relevant European or international standards, that show the thickness of the coating layer to be less than 5μm.
2(d) Adhesion
|
Note: |
This criterion applies to opaque primers and binding primers for masonry coatings and to undercoats for wood or metal trim and cladding paints. The adhesion test may be conducted on any opaque primer or undercoat alone, or on the primer/undercoat and finishing coat together, so long as the combination is opaque. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
Pigmented masonry primers for exterior uses shall score a pass in the pull-off test of relevant European or international standards where the cohesive strength of the substrate is less than the adhesive strength of the primer coating, otherwise the adhesion of the primer coating must be in excess of a pass value of 1,5 MPa.
Interior masonry primers, metal and wood undercoats shall score 2 or less in the test for adhesion of relevant European or international standards.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any opaque masonry primer, binding primer, wood undercoat or metal undercoat products included in their license application, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports following relevant European or international standards, as applicable.
2(e) Weathering
|
Note: |
This criterion applies to outdoor paints and varnishes. In the case of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
All outdoor paints or varnishes shall be exposed to artificial weathering in apparatus including fluorescent UV lamps and condensation or water spray according to relevant European or international standards. They shall be exposed to test conditions for 1 000 hours with cycling conditions of: UVA 4 h/60 °C + humidity 4 h/50 °C.
Alternatively, outdoor wood finishes and outdoor wood varnishes may be exposed to weathering for 1 000 hours in the QUV accelerated weathering apparatus with cyclic exposure with UV(A) radiation and spraying according to relevant European or international standards.
After weathering, the exposed films shall comply with the requirements specified in the Table 4.
Table 4
Overview of weathering requirements for decorative paints, varnishes, and related products according to relevant European or international standards
|
Property |
Requirement (after weathering) |
Scope of products covered/not covered |
|
Colour change |
Colour change, ΔΕ ≤ 4 |
Not applicable to any varnishes or any transparent or semi-transparent tinting bases |
|
Decrease of gloss |
≤ 50 % decrease compared to initial value |
Not applicable to mid-sheen or matt finishing coats with initial gloss value of < 60 % at 60° angle of incidence |
|
Chalking |
A score of ≤ 2 |
Only applicable to finishing coats of coating systems used on outdoor masonry, wood and metal substrates |
|
Flaking |
Flake density: ≤ 2 Flake size: ≤ 2 |
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|
Cracking |
Crack quantity: ≤ 2 Crack size: ≤ 3 |
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|
Blistering |
Blister density: ≤ 3 Blister size: ≤ 3 |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor decorative paints or varnishes included in their license application, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports that detail the weathering test method used (being in compliance with relevant European or international standards) and provide results of changes in properties after weathering, as applicable.
2(f) Water vapour permeability
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to outdoor masonry paints that make ‘breathable’ or ‘water vapour permeable’ claims in their marketing material. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
Relevant paint product(s) shall be tested for water vapour permeability according to relevant European or international standards and generate results that correspond to a medium (class V2) or high (class V1) water vapour permeability as defined in relevant European or international standards.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints included in their license application that make relevant marketing claims, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards, with results expressed according to the classification system defined in relevant European or international standards.
2(g) Liquid water permeability
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to outdoor masonry paints. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
The paint product(s) shall be tested for liquid water permeability according to relevant European or international standards and meet the following requirements, as appropriate:
|
— |
For outdoor masonry paints that make claims about being water repellent or hydrophobic or similar: Low liquid water permeability (Class W3) according to the classification system of relevant European or international standards. |
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— |
For all other outdoor masonry paints: medium liquid water permeability (Class W2) according to the classification system of relevant European or international standards. |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards, with results expressed according to the classification system defined in relevant European or international standards.
2(h) Fungal resistance
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to outdoor masonry paints or wood paints that have anti-fungal marketing claims. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
In accordance with Product Type 7 (PT7) efficacy requirements of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, the following requirements shall be met, as appropriate:
|
— |
For outdoor masonry paints: A score of class 1 or lower (class 0) for fungal resistance according to relevant European or international standards. |
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— |
For wood paints: A score of class 0 for fungal resistance according to relevant European or international standards. |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints or wood paints that have relevant marketing claims, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards.
2(i) Algal resistance
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to outdoor masonry paints or wood paints that have anti-algal marketing claims. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
In accordance with Product Type 7 (PT7) efficacy requirements of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, the following requirements shall be met, as appropriate:
|
— |
For outdoor masonry paints: A score of class 1 or lower (class 0) for algal resistance according to relevant European or international standards. |
|
— |
For wood paints: A score of class 0 for algal resistance according to relevant European or international standards. |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints or wood paints that have relevant marketing claims, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards.
2(j) Crack bridging
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to outdoor masonry paints that have elastomeric (i.e. crack-bridging) marketing claims. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
The coating shall meet the requirements for crack-bridging performance of class A1 or better at 23 °C (i.e. A2, A3 etc.) according to relevant European or international standards.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints that have relevant marketing claims, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards.
2(k) Alkali resistance
|
Note: |
This criterion only applies to masonry coatings, including primers. In cases of different colour shades within a family of products, only the light-coloured or white base paint or tinting base(s) need to be tested. |
The coating shall show no noticeable damage when the coating is spotted for 24 hours with 10 % NaOH solution according to relevant European or international standards. The evaluation shall be done after 24 hours drying-recovery. No noticeable damage shall be considered as a rating of 1 or better (i.e. 0 or 1) as defined in relevant European or international standards, following a visual assessment for both the size and quantity of defects for blistering on the surface of the tested coating in accordance with those same international standards.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with the relevant requirement or a justification of the non-applicability of the requirements for each of the products covered by the EU Ecolabel application. For any outdoor masonry paints or primers, the applicant shall provide copies of test reports according to relevant European or international standards with results expressed in terms of the rating system in other relevant European or international standards.
Criterion 3. Content of Volatile and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, SVOCs)
The maximum content of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) shall not exceed the limits given in Table 5.
The content of VOCs and SVOCs shall be determined for the ready to use product and shall include any recommended additions prior to application such as colourants and/or thinners.
Table 5
VOC and SVOC content limit
|
VOC and SVOC content limits |
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|
Product description (with subcategory denotation according to Directive 2004/42/EC) |
VOC (7) limits (g/l of ready to use product) |
SVOC (8) limits (g/l of ready to use product) |
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|
10 |
|||
|
30 |
|||
|
20 |
35 |
||
|
60 |
|||
|
60 |
30 |
||
|
60 |
50 |
||
|
40 |
|||
|
10 |
|||
|
10 |
|||
The VOC content shall be determined either by calculation based on the ingredients and raw materials or by using the methods given in relevant European or international standard or, alternatively for products with a VOC content of less than 1,0 g/l, the methods given in other relevant European or international standard. The SVOC content shall be determined using the method given in relevant European or international standard. In the case of products used both indoors and outdoors the strictest SVOC limit value for indoor paints and varnishes shall prevail.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by calculations of VOC and SVOC contents based on the ingredients and raw materials used in the ready to use product. Alternatively, the VOC and SVOC contents of the ready to use product shall be communicated via a representative test report or reports using the methods given in the relevant international standard, as appropriate, and results shall demonstrate compliance with the relevant limits.
Criterion 4. Restriction of hazardous substances and mixtures
|
Note: |
These sub-criteria apply to the final product formulation and any supplied ingredients therein. |
4.1. Restrictions on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)
The final product formulation and any supplied ingredients therein shall not contain any ingoing substances that meet the criteria referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 that have been identified according to the procedure described in Article 59 of that Regulation and included in the candidate list for substances of very high concern for authorisation.
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a signed declaration that the final product formulation and any supplied ingredients therein do not contain any SVHCs as ingoing substances. The applicant declaration shall be supported by safety data sheets of all supplied ingredients used to produce the final product and declarations from the chemical suppliers.
The list of substances identified as SVHCs and included in the candidate list in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 can be found here:
https://www.echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table
Reference to the list shall be made on the submission date of the EU Ecolabel application.
For any level of known impurities identified as SVHCs in ingredients, the concentration of the impurity and an assumed retention factor of 100 % shall be used to estimate the quantity of the SVHC impurity remaining in the final product formulation. Impurities that are SVHCs cannot be present in the paint or varnish product formulation above 0,0100 % w/w or in any individual ingredient in concentrations exceeding 0,100 % w/w. Any deviation from a retention factor of 100 % for an SVHC impurity (for example due to solvent evaporation) or in case of chemical modification, must be supported by adequate justifications.
4.2. General restrictions based on classifications according to specific hazard classifications defined in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
(a) Final product formulation
The final product formulation shall not be classified as being carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, acutely toxic, an aspiration hazard, a specific target organ toxicant, a respiratory or skin sensitiser, hazardous to the aquatic environment, hazardous to the ozone layer, an endocrine disruptor, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 and specifically in terms of the hazard statement codes stated in Table 6. The only exception permitted to this rule shall be the H412 and H413 classification, and only if due to levels of dry-film preservatives in the case of outdoor paints or varnishes.
Unless derogated in Table 7, the final product formulation shall not contain any ingoing substances in concentrations at or above 0,010 % weight by weight of the final product formulation that are classified, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, with any of the hazard classes, categories and associated hazard statement codes stated in Table 6.
Table 6
Restricted hazard classes, categories, codes and associated hazard statements
|
Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) |
|
|
Categories 1A and 1B |
Category 2 |
|
H340: May cause genetic defects |
H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects |
|
H350: May cause cancer |
H351: Suspected of causing cancer |
|
H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation |
|
|
H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child |
H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child |
|
H360F: May damage fertility |
H361f: Suspected of damaging fertility |
|
H360D: May damage the unborn child |
H361d: Suspected of damaging the unborn child |
|
H360FD: May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child |
H361fd: Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child |
|
H360Fd: May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
H362: May cause harm to breast fed children |
|
H360Df: May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility. |
|
|
Acute toxicity |
|
|
Categories 1 and 2 |
Category 3 |
|
H300: Fatal if swallowed |
H301: Toxic if swallowed |
|
H310: Fatal in contact with skin |
H311: Toxic in contact with skin |
|
H330: Fatal if inhaled |
H331: Toxic if inhaled |
|
|
EUH070: Toxic by eye contact |
|
Aspiration hazard |
|
|
Category 1 |
|
|
H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways |
|
|
Specific target organ toxicity |
|
|
Category 1 |
Category 2 |
|
H370: Causes damage to organs |
H371: May cause damage to organs |
|
H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
|
Respiratory and skin sensitization |
|
|
Category 1, 1A and 1B |
|
|
H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction |
|
|
H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled |
|
|
Hazardous to the aquatic environment |
|
|
Categories 1 and 2 |
Categories 3 and 4 |
|
H400: Very toxic to aquatic life |
H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
|
H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
H413: May cause long-lasting effects to aquatic life |
|
H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
|
|
Hazardous to the ozone layer |
|
|
H420: Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere |
|
|
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) for human health and the environment |
|
|
Category 1 |
Category 2 |
|
EUH380: May cause endocrine disruption in humans |
EUH381: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in humans |
|
EUH430: May cause endocrine disruption in the environment |
EUH431: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in the environment. |
|
Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) |
|
|
PBT |
very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) |
|
EUH440: Accumulates in the environment and living organisms including in humans |
EUH441: Strongly accumulates in the environment and living organisms including in humans |
|
Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT) |
|
|
PMT |
very Persistent and very Mobile (vPvM) |
|
EUH450: Can cause long-lasting and diffuse contamination of water resources |
EUH451: Can cause very long-lasting and diffuse contamination of water resources |
The use of substances that are chemically modified during the production process, so that any relevant hazard for which the substance has been classified under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 no longer applies, shall be exempted from the above requirement.
This criterion shall not apply to ingoing substances covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 2(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which set out criteria for exempting substances within Annexes IV and V to that Regulation from the registration, downstream user and evaluation requirements.
Table 7
Derogations to restrictions on ingoing substances that are classified with one or more of the restricted hazards listed in Table 6 and are present in concentrations at or above 0,010 % (weight by weight) of the final product formulation.
|
Substance type, substance name and CAS number |
Derogated hazard code(s) |
Derogation conditions |
||||||||||||
|
Preservatives and preservative stabilisers |
||||||||||||||
|
Note on preservatives: all preservatives added to ingredients must be declared by suppliers and all preservatives added directly to the final product formulation must be declared by the paint or varnish producer. The only types of preservatives permitted in ingredients and the final product shall be those that are compliant with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. For final products originating in the Union, it is reminded that it is not sufficient that the active substances contained in the preservative product are approved under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 for product type 6 (PT6) (in-can preservative) or for product type 7 (PT7) (dry-film preservative), but the preservative product must be authorised under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 for PT6 or PT7 or made available on the market according to the transitional measures set out in Article 89(2) of that Regulation. The combined total limits for PT6 and PT7 preservatives shall apply to these following product categories:
Except for colour tints, all references to concentrations/limits/levels of preservatives in the section ‘Preservatives and preservative stabilisers’, shall be understood as referring to the preservative active substances contained in the final product formulation. Any preservatives which cannot be present in the final product formulation at concentrations exceeding 0,010 %, due to specific concentration limits (SCLs) lower than 0,010 % that would classify the final product with a restricted CLP hazard, are not mentioned in the derogation table below because they cannot be used in concentrations exceeding 0,010 % in the first place and thus do not need a derogation. This does not imply that they cannot be used as ingoing substances in EU Ecolabel products at any level. If not explicitly excluded in sub-criterion 4.3, such preservatives may be used so long as it is at levels below any SCLs that would trigger a restricted CLP classification of the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||||
|
In-can preservatives (PT6) in colour tints or final product: |
H301, H311, H317, H330, H331, H372, H373, H400, H410, H411, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table The sum total of all PT6 in-can preservatives (those derogated for use above 0,010 % plus those that are non-derogated but used in levels < 0,010 %) must be within the relevant limits defined in the note above. When preservatives that are formaldehyde donors are used, the relevant limits for free formaldehyde in the final product formulation set out in sub-criterion 4.3(l) must be respected. Specific concentration limits (% weight by weight in the final product formulation) shall apply for the derogated substances listed below:
|
||||||||||||
|
Dry-film preservatives (PT7): |
H311, H317, H330, H331, H372, H373 H400, H410, H411, H412 and H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only applies to outdoor products and indoor products for use in high humidity areas. The sum total of all PT7 dry-film preservatives (those derogated for use above 0,010 % plus those that are non-derogated but used in levels < 0,010 %) must be within the relevant limits defined in the note above. In the case of slow release, encapsulated forms of dry-film preservatives, the specific classification of the final product, or read-across formulations, should consider the absolute concentration of the hazardous components (i.e. without capsules). The final product or read-across formulation cannot be classified with any of the hazards listed in Table 6. Any dry-film preservatives classified as H400 or H410 must be non-bioaccumulative, demonstrated by having an octanol-water coefficient (Log Kow) of ≤ 3,2 or a bioconcentration factor (BCF) of ≤ 100. |
||||||||||||
|
Preservative stabiliser: Zinc oxide (CAS No 1314-13-2) |
H400, H410 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Permitted to be used as a preservative stabiliser, up to 0,040 % weight by weight in the final product formulation, when used to stabilise in-can or dry-film preservative combinations that require 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT). |
||||||||||||
|
Drying and anti-skinning agents |
||||||||||||||
|
Anti-skinning agents |
H317, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table The sum total anti-skinning agent content shall not exceed 0,40 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Driers (siccatives) |
H301, H317, H373, H400†, H410†, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table The sum total drier content shall not exceed 0,10 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. † The derogation for H400 and H410 only applies to cobalt-based drier compounds and such compounds can only be used up to 0,050 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Pigments and pigments additives |
||||||||||||||
|
Trimethylolpropane (CAS No 77-99-6) |
H361fd |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only when used as an additive in supplied pigments and only up to 0,50 % weight by weight in the supplied pigment. |
||||||||||||
|
Binders and polymer dispersions |
||||||||||||||
|
Binders and crosslinking agents: Adipic acid dihydrazide (CAS No 1071-93-8) |
H317, H411 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 1,0 % weight by weight in the binder or polymer dispersion ingredient and when used as an adhesion promoter or as a crosslinking agent. |
||||||||||||
|
Unreacted monomers (in binders) |
H301, H304, H311, H317, H331, H334, H372, H400, H410, H411, H412 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table The sum total concentration of unreacted monomers needing this derogation shall not exceed 0,050 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Other, miscellaneous |
||||||||||||||
|
Methanol (CAS No 67-56-1) |
H301, H311, H331, H370 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only permitted as a residual reaction product of other substances in the product formulation. Allowable residual concentration increases as a function of binder content in the following manner:
|
||||||||||||
|
Mineral raw materials, including fillers, anti-sagging agents and matting agents |
H372, H373 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only applies to mineral raw materials and leucophyllite minerals that naturally contain crystalline silica. Only permitted in contents up to 1,0 % weight by weight in the final product formulation for H372 materials or up to 10 % for H373 materials. In cases where the material is supplied in dry powder form, the applicant shall demonstrate that they have systems in place to minimise worker exposure to dry powder in the workplace (for example closed dosing systems, ventilated dosing and mixing areas and personal protective equipment). |
||||||||||||
|
H301, H311, H331, H400, H410, H411, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 1,0 % weight by weight in varnish formulations, and up to 0,50 % in all other products. |
|||||||||||||
|
Optical brighteners |
H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 0,10 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Silicone resin |
H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 2,0 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Solvents |
H304 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 2,0 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
|
Surfactants |
H411, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only allowed up to 1,0 % weight by weight in transparent, semi-transparent, white or light-coloured product formulations or up to 3,0 % weight by weight in all other colours. |
||||||||||||
|
UV stabilisers |
H317, H411, H412, H413 |
(*2)See horizontal derogation condition at foot of table Only applicable to outdoor products and only up to 0,60 % weight by weight in the final product formulation. |
||||||||||||
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a signed declaration of compliance with sub-criterion 4.2, including compliance with any relevant derogation conditions, supported by declarations from suppliers and any other relevant documentation.
A list of all ingoing substances with one or more of the restricted CLP hazards calculated to be present in the final product formulation in concentrations greater than 0,010 % weight by weight shall be presented, together with their CAS numbers, CLP classification status (i.e. harmonised, joint entry or self-entries only) the relevant function of the ingoing substance (for example in-can preservative, drier, pigment, neutralising agents, surfactants, UV stabiliser etc.)., Calculations for ingoing substance concentrations in the final product formulation shall be based on:
|
— |
a list of all ingredients, chemicals or raw materials used to make the final product formulation; |
|
— |
the screening of ingredients, chemicals or raw materials for those ingoing substances and known impurities with any of the EU Ecolabel-restricted CLP hazards; |
|
— |
the concentrations of any screened ingoing substances and known impurities with EU Ecolabel-restricted CLP hazards in the ingredients, chemicals or raw materials used in the format supplied; |
|
— |
the weight of each of the ingredients, chemicals or raw materials added to make a known weight of final product formulation. |
Known impurities shall be treated as ingoing substances only if the screening exercise reveals that their content in the final product formulation shall exceed 0,010 % weight by weight or their content in an ingredient shall exceed 0,100 % weight by weight. Known impurities below these thresholds shall not be counted in calculations.
Any screened ingoing substances shall be assumed by default to be 100 % retained in the final product. Justifications for any deviation from a retention factor of 100 % during processing (for example solvent evaporation) or for chemical modification of a screened ingoing substance shall be provided. Substances known to be released or to degrade from ingoing substances are considered ingoing substances and not impurities.
For any screened ingoing substances remaining in the final product formulation in concentrations greater than 0,010 % weight by weight, but which are exempted from sub-criterion 4.2 (see Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006), a declaration to this effect by the applicant shall suffice for those substances.
Since multiple products or potential products (for example customised shades from a tinting system) using the same ingredients, chemicals or raw materials may be covered by one EU Ecolabel license, a worst-case calculation may be acceptable for each screened ingoing substance within a common family of products covered by the same license.
Regarding information requested from suppliers that may be commercially sensitive, evidence from suppliers can also be provided directly to competent bodies without necessarily providing certain details to the applicant.
4.3. Specific hazardous substance restrictions for ingoing substances.
Unless derogated in sub-criterion 4.2, the substances indicated below shall not be included as ingoing substances in the final product formulation or as ingoing substances to the ingredients used to make the final product formulation:
|
(a) |
Preservatives or driers classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. |
|
(b) |
Substances classified as category 1 or category 2 endocrine disruption for human health or the environment in accordance with CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, substances included in the candidate list referred to in Article 59(1) of REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 as having endocrine-disrupting properties for human health or the environment, substances identified as having endocrine-disrupting properties in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 or Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, except for DBNPA (CAS No 10222-01-2) when used as an in-can preservative. |
|
(c) |
Substances classified as Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) for the environment and living organisms including in humans in accordance with CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, substances included in the candidate list referred to in Article 59(1) of REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 as having PBT or vPvB properties for the environment and living organisms including in humans, substances identified as having PBT or vPvB properties for the environment and living organisms including in humans in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 or Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. |
|
(d) |
Substances classified as Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT) or very Persistent and very Mobile (vPvM) in accordance with CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, substances included in the candidate list referred to in Article 59(1) of REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 as having PMT or vPvM properties. |
|
(e) |
Alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and their derivatives, as referred to in entry 43 to Annex XIV or entry 46 to Annex XVII of the Regulation (EC) 1907/2006. |
|
(f) |
Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS), as defined in Article 4(42). |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
|
(i) |
Fragrance substances which are prohibited or restricted in cosmetic products and listed in Annexes II or III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. |
|
(j) |
Bisphenols that have been identified by ECHA in their 2021 ‘Assessment of Regulatory Needs report on Bisphenols’ for further EU regulatory risk management that are known or potential endocrine disruptors for the environment or for human health, or that can be identified as toxic for reproduction. |
|
(k) |
Pigments used shall not be based on Cadmium, Lead, Chromium (VI), Mercury, Arsenic, Selenium, Antimony or Cobalt. The following impurities from any pigments used shall not be present in the final product formulation in quantities exceeding 0,010 % weight by weight (per metal): Cadmium, Lead, Chromium (VI), Mercury, Arsenic, Selenium, Antimony and Cobalt. The only exceptions to pigment use and to the 0,010 % limit for impurities shall be:
|
|
(l) |
Free formaldehyde shall not be intentionally added to the final product formulation. The final product shall be tested in order to determine its free formaldehyde content. Worst-case samples for testing shall be selected for each family of products based on which product is predicted to have the highest theoretical amount of formaldehyde content. Under the conditions defined below, the following sum total limits of free formaldehyde shall be permitted:
|
|
(m) |
Synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs, commonly known as microplastics) as defined in entry 78 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), shall not be used for non-film forming purposes in any product formulation unless their use and purpose is explicitly declared, together with a justification of why their use improves the overall environmental performance of the paint or varnish product. |
Assessment and verification:
|
(a to j) |
The applicant shall declare the non-use of the relevant substances indicated in this sub-criterion, namely CMR preservatives, CMR driers, endocrine disruptors (except DBNPA), PBT and vPVB substances, PMT and vPvM substances, alkylphenols and APEOs, PFAS, phthalates, organotin compounds, fragrances and bisphenols as ingoing substances in their formulation, supported by declarations from their suppliers about the non-use of the same hazardous substance groups as ingoing substances in the ingredients supplied and that are used in formulations covered by the EU Ecolabel license application procedure. |
|
(k) |
In the case of the heavy metal restrictions from pigments, the applicant or pigment supplier shall provide a declaration stating that neither the pigment itself nor any ingoing substances that may be incorporated into the pigment product are based on the listed heavy metals. The applicant or pigment supplier shall also provide a test report with the heavy metal impurity levels of representative samples of the pigment supplied. The applicant shall then use these results, together with the % of pigment(s) used in the final product, to calculate the concentration of heavy metals from pigments remaining in the final product. In the case of exempted pigments, the pigment supplier shall declare which pigment(s) have the exemption (i.e. cobalt aluminate blue spinel, cobalt chromite blue-green spinel or antimony nickel in an insoluble TiO2 lattice). |
|
(l) |
The applicant shall declare which of their products should have the highest theoretical free formaldehyde content within each family of products’ formulation. This declaration shall be based on the choice of the paint formulator to use formaldehyde donors as in-can preservatives and declarations from suppliers regarding the amounts of formaldehyde donors used to preserve supplied ingredients (especially binders). The addition of these substances (and any other ingredients that release formaldehyde) to the worst-case formulations shall not result in the content of free formaldehyde in the final product exceeding the relevant concentration limit, as measured with relevant European or international standards. |
|
(m) |
The applicant shall provide either a declaration of the non-use of SPMs for non-film forming purposes or a declaration of their use in the product formulation. In cases where the use of SPMs for non-film forming purposes is declared, the type, quantity (% weight by weight) and purpose shall be stated in the declaration, together with a justification of how the use of SPMs for non-film forming purposes improves the overall environmental performance of the product. Such justifications should normally compare the environmental performance of the same product with and without the SPMs for non-film forming purposes. |
Criterion 5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions
|
Note: |
Only applicable to indoor decorative paints, varnishes, and related products |
Emissions of VOCs shall not exceed the limits defined in the Table 8 below.
Table 8
VOC emission limits
|
Parameter |
3-day test results |
28-day test results |
|
TVOC (*3) |
≤ 3 000 μg/m3 |
≤ 300 μg/m3 |
|
R value (*4) |
n/a |
≤ 1,0 |
|
Formaldehyde |
n/a |
≤ 10 μg/m3 |
|
Any other category 1A or 1B carcinogenic VOCs not covered by EU LCI values (*5) |
≤ 10 μg/m3 per substance |
≤ 1 μg/m3 per substance |
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall submit a copy of test report according to relevant European or international standards for the worst-case product formulation within each of the relevant families of products being covered by the EU Ecolabel license application. Any changes to the formulations that would create a higher worst-case VOC content shall trigger the requirement to submit an updated VOC emission test report. When relevant, a clear explanation of the distinctions made between families of products (for example binder chemistry, product category etc.) shall be provided, together with a justification of the worst-case product within each family of products.
In cases where a coating system has multiple layers, the full system should be applied to the test substrate according to manufacturer instructions prior to emission testing.
For the calculation of the R value, reference should be made to the latest set of agreed EU LCI (Lowest Concentration of Interest) values available at the time of testing. These values can be consulted on the European Commission website (1).
If chamber air concentrations can be shown to comply with the 28-day limits before the 28-day period has been completed but after a period of at least 3 days, then those results can be accepted as proof of compliance and the test can be halted at that point.
|
(1) |
See: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/eu-lci-subgroup/eu-lci-values_en |
Criterion 6. Consumer information
|
6(a) |
The following information shall appear on or be attached to the packaging:
|
|
6(b) |
The following information shall appear on or be attached to the packaging or be available via a web-link or QR code:
Assessment and verification: The applicant shall declare that the product complies with the requirement and provide the competent body with the artwork or samples of the user information and/or a link or QR code to a manufacturer’s website containing this information as part of the application. The recommended amount of paint given as a guideline shall be provided. |
Criterion 7. Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel
The optional label with text box shall contain three of the following statements, according to their relevance:
|
— |
Minimised content of hazardous substances, |
|
— |
Reduced content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): x g/l, |
|
— |
Reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds to indoor air (for indoor products), |
|
— |
Good performance for indoor use (for indoor products), or |
|
— |
Good performance for outdoor use, (for outdoor products) or |
|
— |
Good performance for both indoor and outdoor use (for products suitable for indoor and outdoor use). |
The guidelines for the use of the optional label with text box can be found in the ‘Guidelines for use of the Ecolabel logo’ on the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/documents/logo_guidelines.pdf
Assessment and verification:
The applicant shall provide a sample of the product label or an artwork of the packaging where the EU Ecolabel is placed, together with a declaration of compliance with this criterion.
(1) Point sources for emissions of dust to air from the chloride process are considered as: milling, chlorination, oxidation and micronisation stages. Point sources for emissions of HCl to air from the chloride process are considered as: chlorination, acid scrubber from solid separation and metal chloride treatment processes. Point sources for emissions of dust to air from the sulphate process are considered as: milling, digestion, calcination and micronisation stages. Point sources for emissions of SO2 to air from the sulphate process are considered as: digestion and calcination processes.
(2) When ore used is > 95 % TiO2 content.
(3) When ore used is 90-95 % TiO2 content.
(4) When ore used is < 90 % TiO2 content.
(*1) The m2 refers to 1m2 of dry film with an opacity of at least 98 % according to relevant European or international standards.
(5) SVOC limit applies to indoor white paints and varnishes
(6) SVOC limit applies to indoor tinted paints/outdoor paints and varnishes
(7) ‘Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)’ means any organic compounds having an initial boiling point less than or equal to 250 °C measured at a standard pressure of 101,3 kPa
(8) ‘Semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)’ means any organic compound having a boiling point greater than 250 °C and less than 370 °C measured at a standard pressure of 101,3 kPa
(*2) Horizontal derogation condition: none of the derogations above, either individually or in combination, shall be permitted if they result in the final product formulation being classified with any of the hazards defined in Table 6, with the notable exception of H412 and H413 for outdoor products due to the presence of dry-film preservatives.
(*3) TVOC shall be measured as defined in relevant European or international standards and including quantification of any non-target compounds
(*4) R value, as defined in relevant European or international standards. Results for the cumulative R value shall be rounded to one decimal place before determining compliance or non-compliance with the limit of 1,0.
(*5) Does not apply to formaldehyde, which is a VVOC and is covered by a specific individual limit. Does not apply to any other carcinogenic VVOCs or VOCs that have an EU-LCI value, since these are already covered by the R-value limit.