2. 5. 1. Limits for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in interior wall paints

In water-based coatings, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are primarily used as coalescing agents, and are also emitted into indoor air. These VOC emissions get smaller in the course of time. How long the emission period is depends on the character of the compound in question, the indoor conditions, especially the degree of ventilation, as well as the room temperature.

VOCs have numerous effects on human health and well-being, ranging from sensory impressions (smell, irritation) already at low concentrations, to toxic long-term effects, which usually occur only at higher concentrations. An important factor here is that part of the low-concentration effects are sensory impressions or other effects that cannot be (fully) examined in the context of animal testing. VOC mixtures may cause non-specific effects even at low concentrations, particularly irritations of the mucous membranes of the eyes and the nose, and the respiratory tract. In addition, exposure may result in non-specific symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, concentration problems, nausea, or elevated body temperature.

Beside the volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) are increasingly being used in construction products. In most cases, esters and ethers of higher alcohols are used, which are constituents of low-solvent or solvent-free formulations of wall paints and water-based varnishes. The substances that are often detected in indoor air include glycols, glycol ethers and their esters. The observable tendency to substitute volatile solvents with solvents with a higher boiling point means that relevant emissions may occur over a longer period. The SVOCs used can also to some extent be detected in indoor air in surprisingly high concentrations, long after they have been applied.

Definitions:

VOC (Volatile Organic Compound): an organic compound with an initial boiling point of at least 50 °C and not more than 250 °C at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.

SVOC (low volatility organic compound or “high boiler”): an organic compound with an initial boiling point of at least 250 °C and at most 400 °C.

Interior wall paints must not contain more than

0.05% by weight (500 ppm) VOCs;
0.02% by weight (200 ppm) SVOCs (including any impurities from plasticisers).

Primers, primer sealers and penetrating stoppers for interior wall paints must not contain more than

0.5% by weight VOCs and
1% by weight SVOCs.

SVOC, with the following properties according to CLP Reg. 1272/2008 Annex I are not admissible:
- H332,
- H300, H310, H330, H370,
- H301, H331, H311; H370; H372

- H317, H334, EUH208

Proof:
Safety data sheet as amended by Regulation (EU) No 453/2010, and manufacturer's declaration.

All products awarded the following eco labels meet these criteria:

Österreichisches Umweltzeichen (Austrian eco label)
low-emission emulsion paints in accordance with TÜV Süd Test Standard TM-07.

Alternatively, the corresponding baubook declaration may serve as evidence (www.baubook.info/oea).