Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association (NAAF) criteria for paints Interior paint products. Version 2.1. Valid from 1. July 2012

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1 Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association (NAAF) criteria for paints Interior paint products. Version 2.1. Valid from 1. July 2012 NAAF works to influence manufacturers to develop paint products that are safe for our health, for the benefit of the population in general and sensitive individuals in particular. The criteria are set sufficiently strict ensuring that the products are safe to use for everyone. The quality of NAAF recommended paint products should also be comparatively good or better than the products they replace. NAAF also demands that all paint manufacturers meet/fulfils the criteria for the Nordic Ecolabel and/or the EU Ecolabel in addition to our own criteria. There are often several technological solutions of achieving compliance with our criteria. An individual overall assessment is always made concerning the health aspects of the products, which may entail criteria other than what is mentioned here. It is emphasised that all the criteria apply to the finished product with all the possible colour ingredients added to the final product. All the limit values shall be maintained with the "worst" base and colour ingredients and when measured as a newly manufactured product directly from the factory. For certain paint products other than the top and intermediate products for walls and ceilings, it may be difficult to fulfil all the criteria. This may include product categories such as primers, stains, varnishes, wet room paints, etc., which must satisfy other special functional characteristics. NAAF criteria are strict, but generous safety margins have been established with regard to possible health effects. Deviation from one or more of the criteria may therefore be considered if the product is documented to be significantly improved compared with previous types/versions and/or other competing products on the market. NAAF believes that if the introduction of a product on the market represents a major positive health benefit for the users and thus contributes to the development of the market in the right direction with regard to health, then such an introduction shall be encouraged. Such deviations must be of a temporary time-limited nature and subject to close follow-up in relation to the adopted plan for when all the criteria are to be completely fulfilled. Deviations will only be allowed if NAAF is sure through the labelling scheme that the product does not pose any health hazards. Page 1 of 5

2 1 Formula details A complete formula with all the ingredients in the paint shall be submitted with a complete HSE data sheet and CAS number for correct identification. The purity of all the ingredients shall be given and any identified contaminants/trace substances shall be accounted for qualitatively and quantitatively. 2 Solvents Only water is permitted as a solvent, and organic solvents cannot be added to the paint. 3 Preservatives Preservatives must be allergy safe. In addition, they must not give rise to any formaldehyde emissions. In order to achieve the necessary preservation, the following can be used: a) Preservatives that do not cause any allergic reactions or b) Preservatives in concentrations that have been assessed as not causing any allergic reactions or a combination of a) and b). If a) is used, then the absence of allergic reactions shall be documented. If b) is used, then concentrations shall be used that are lower than what has deemed to be safe through the EU Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC and any subsequent amendments/additions. In addition, the concentrations must be below what is used in tests for contact allergies for the substances in question whenever such is available. If b) is used, then the preservatives must not be emitted from the paint tin, during application or from the paint film while drying. The combination CIT:MIT (CAS ) is not acceptable as an ingredient. Residue/trace amounts of CIT:MIT may be present from different ingredients and the use of other isothiazolinones. Any residue of CIT:MIT must not exceed 1 ppm in the final product. Page 2 of 5

3 4 Emissions of TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) (Emission including all types of VOC) After 1 hour: < 2500 µg/m 2 h After 12 hours: < 500 µg/m 2 h After 24 hours: < 250 µg/m 2 h After 3 days: < 100 µg/ m 2 h After 7 days: < 50 µg/ m 2 h After 14 days: < 10 µg/ m 2 h Good ventilation of the room shall always be recommended for the first day, and it should be stated that the room can normally be used one day after painting. Emission measurements from independent laboratories must be submitted for all paints and subgroups for which approval is sought. The results shall be compared with at least five of the most common/nearest market competitors. All emissions shall by analysed quantitatively and qualitatively, see also criteria no Specific organic compounds A test for quantitative and qualitative identification of all organic compounds, either originating from the formula or as contaminant(s), must be surveyed and assessed individually by NAAF. This assessment is made based on the existing knowledge at any given time of the identified organic compounds and their health effects. The total organic fraction shall also be summarised. In order for NAAF to be able to make this assessment the results for all identified organic compounds and their quantities measured at an independent laboratory shall be submitted for all types of paints for which approval is sought. NAAF will assess the submitted results and may request certain organic compounds to be removed or reduced if any health hazards are identified. These compounds are often contaminants or traces in the raw materials, so it is beneficial to ensure that the raw materials are as pure as possible in the chosen technology platform/formula. Page 3 of 5

4 6 Specific inorganic compounds Tests for the content of inorganic compounds shall be submitted corresponding to those for organic compounds. NAAF will assess the identified compounds individually. This is performed based on the existing knowledge at any given time of identified inorganic compounds and their health effects. In order for NAAF to be able to make this assessment, the results for all identified inorganic compounds and their quantities measured at an independent laboratory shall be submitted for all types of paints for which approval is sought. NAAF will assess the submitted results and can request individual inorganic compounds to be removed or reduced if any health hazards are identified. These compounds are often contaminants or traces in the raw materials, so it is beneficial to ensure that the raw materials are as pure as possible in the chosen technology platform/formula. 7 Formaldehyde Cannot be actively added, cannot be used as a preservative in raw materials and shall not be present as a known contaminant in raw materials or formed during use with the selected ingredients. Since formaldehyde nevertheless can be present as an unknown and unintentional contaminant, a maximum limit is set at 20 µg/ m 2 h after 3 days and 10 µg/ m 2 h after 7 days. 8 Ammonia The level of ammonia shall be minimised. The maximum limit is 10 µg/ m 2 h after 3 days and 5µg/ m 2 h after 7 days. 9 Residual monomers Shall be kept at least under 50 ppm in the binding agent that is used, as measured in the binding agent as a raw material from the manufacturer before being added in the formula. Page 4 of 5

5 10 Odour The use of chemicals to mask/improve odours is not permitted. Criteria for odour intensity and acceptability in accordance with the criteria for the Danish indoor climate labelling scheme (Dansk Indeklima Mærking, Acceptability value shall be higher than zero on a scale between + 1 (clearly acceptable) and 1 (clearly not acceptable) Intensity value shall be less than 2 on a scale between 0 (no smell) and 5 (overwhelming smell) The criteria must be met for all combination of base and colour ingredients to be approved and the criteria above must be met by latest after 24 hours and calculated as median of all test persons. Tests shall be performed for assumed worst combination of base and colour ingredients. Raw data for all tested individuals shall be made available for NAAF. In addition to fulfilment of DIM criteria within 24 h, NAAF strongly encourages additional testing at 12 h and for each following day up to 7 days also with presentation of median values and raw data. If other test methods than the DIM method is used, it must be substantiated that the method is in compliance with the DIM method and fulfils the criteria above. 11 Curing Very fast curing, two hours. Rapid curing has two advantages. Firstly, it reduces/limits the possibility of long term emissions. Secondly, it reduces the time the surface is moistened, which in turn reduces the emission of potentially hazardous substances from the surface and/or unfortunate chemical reactions with the surface. 12 Labelling In addition to the normal government labelling requirements, all allergens, regardless of the concentration, shall be listed on the packaging label. NAAF shall approve all label texts. Page 5 of 5