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Trinidad and Tobago plans to release new paint regulations: limit lead and VOC, upgrade labeling requirements

Time：

2023-09-09

Trinidad and Tobago plans to release new paint regulations: limit lead and VOC, upgrade labeling requirements

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) released a proposal on standards for water-based and solvent based coatings on August 24, 2023 (PCTTCS 28:20XX). This proposal will replace the outdated TTS 164:2011 standard, limit the content of lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water-based and solvent based coatings, and propose detailed requirements for product labeling, aiming to provide consumers and users with more comprehensive and detailed product information to ensure their health and safety, while also promoting sustainable environmental development.

Applicable scope

This standard applies to:

Packaging coatings, including decorative and architectural coatings, uncolored substrates, primers for indoor and outdoor surfaces, and coatings colored at the point of sale;

Liquid and spray coatings, including latex, latex paint, water soluble, water dispersible or colloidal coatings, alkyd and modified alkyd resin coatings, and texture coatings.

This standard is not applicable to dyes, varnishes, fillers, glass sealants, paints, and industrial protective coatings.

Applicable objects

Manufacturers, agents, distributors, sellers, refillers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers of water-based and solvent based coatings to assist them in manufacturing or purchasing products that meet the requirements;
Regulatory agencies to provide benchmarks for evaluating waterborne and solvent based coatings imported or manufactured within established regulatory frameworks.

Mandatory requirements

1. Chemical requirements:

Water-based coatings and solvent based coatings shall meet the requirements listed in the following table when tested according to the specified test methods or any other TTBS approved test methods:

Project	Water-based coating		Solvent based coating		Test method
Project	Topcoat	Primer	Topcoat	Primer	Test method
Maximum content of volatile organic compounds a	250 g/l	250 g/l	450 g/l	450 g/l	ISO 11890-1 or ISO 11890-2 or ASTM D3960
Maximum total lead content b (weight percentage)	0.009%	0.009%	0.009%	0.009%	ISO 6503 or ASTM D3335
Note: The calculation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is based on a total value, and exempted compounds are not considered in the calculation. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, sellers, refillers, wholesalers, or retailers can provide information about lead content to buyers through any of the following methods: 1) Declare on the label that the coating meets the total lead content specified in this standard; 2) Provide relevant information in printed or digital format according to the buyer's request.

2. Label requirements:

The labels for water-based and solvent based coatings should include the following information:

The general or commonly used name of the coating;
Product name or brand name;
The names and addresses of manufacturers, agents, distributors, sellers, refillers, importers, wholesalers, or retailers;
Country of origin;
The net content in the packaging;
Active ingredients;
Coating type;
Instructions for use;
Drying time (in hours);
Coverage rate (m2/l);
Recoating time (in hours);
Preparation instructions for coated and uncoated surfaces;
Dilution instructions (if applicable);
First aid information;
Batch or batch number;
Intended use, whether for indoor or outdoor use;
For spray cans, conspicuous statements or words about safety information shall be attached;
Volatile organic compound content;
Shelf life;
Storage conditions;
Warning slogans or signs, etc.

Measures for handling violations

Once it is found that water-based and solvent based coatings within the scope of this standard do not meet the relevant requirements, TTBS may take the following actions, and any violation of this standard will be punished or fined according to the latest version of the standard law:

a) Require relevant manufacturers, agents, distributors, sellers, refillers, importers, wholesalers, or retailers to remove and use non-conforming coatings from the territory of Trinidad and Tobago within the specified time frame;

b) According to the latest version of the Standard Law, substandard coatings shall be seized in accordance with the law;

c) Prohibit the sale and distribution of non compliant coatings in Trinidad and Tobago;

d) Allow necessary modifications to meet the requirements where possible;

e) Based on any actions allowed by the latest version of the Standard Law.

The draft standard is currently in the 60 day review stage.