Commission Decision of 28 May 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for indoor and outdoor paints and varnishes (notified under document C(2014) 3429) (Text with EEA relevance) (2014/312/EU) (revoked)

Criteria for awarding the EU Ecolabel to paints and varnishes:

1. 1..

   White pigment and wet scrub resistance

2. 2..

   Titanium dioxide

3. 3..

   Efficiency in use

   1. (a)

      Spreading rate

   2. (b)

      Resistance to water

   3. (c)

      Adhesion

   4. (d)

      Abrasion

   5. (e)

      Weathering

   6. (f)

      Water vapour permeability

   7. (g)

      Liquid water permeability

   8. (h)

      Fungal resistance

   9. (i)

      Crack bridging

   10. (j)

       Alkali resistance

   11. (k)

       Corrosion resistance

4. 4..

   Volatile and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, SVOCs)

5. 5..

   Restriction of hazardous substances and mixtures

   1. (a)

      Overall restrictions that apply to hazard classifications and risk phrases

   2. (b)

      Restrictions that apply to Substances of Very High Concern

   3. (c)

      Restrictions that apply to specific hazardous substances

6. 6..

   Consumer information

7. 7..

   Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel

The Ecolabel criteria reflect the best environmental performing products on the market of paints and varnishes. High quality and performance standards of the paint are required to ensure the longevity of the product and contribute that way to the significant reduction of the paints' overall life cycle impacts. Moreover, the criteria aim at minimizing the use of volatile and semi-volatile organic substances in the paint formulation.

Whilst the use of chemical products and release of pollutants is part of the production process, a product that bears the EU Ecolabel guarantees the consumer that the use of such substances has been limited to the extent technically possible without prejudice to its fitness for use. Moreover, the final paint or varnish product may not be classified as being an acute toxin or hazardous to the environment under European legislation on the labelling of products.

The criteria exclude whenever possible or restrict to a minimum the concentration (required for providing specific functions and properties) of a number of substances identified as hazardous to human health and the environment that may be used in the formulation of paints and varnishes. Only where a substance is required to meet consumer performance expectations or mandated requirements for the product (for instance paint preservation), and where there are no applied and tested available alternatives, derogation for such a substance to be used in the Ecolabel is granted.

Derogations are evaluated on the basis of the precautionary principle and scientific and technical evidence, especially if safer products are available on the market.

Testing of the final product for the presence of restricted hazardous substances may be requested in order to provide a high level of assurance to consumers.

Where appropriate, strict conditions are also imposed on the handling of substances in manufacturing processes for paints and varnishes to avoid workforce exposure. The verification of compliance with the criteria is formulated in a way that provides a high level of assurance to consumers, reflects the practical potential for applicants to obtain information from the supply chain and excludes the potential for ‘free riding’ by applicants.

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If the product contains more than 3,0 % w/w of titanium dioxide, the emissions and discharges of wastes from the production of any titanium dioxide pigment used shall not exceed the following:

For the sulphate process:

• SOx calculated as SO₂ : 7,0 kg/tonne TiO₂ pigment

• Sulphate waste: 500 kg/tonne TiO₂ pigment

For the chloride process:

• If natural rutile ore is used, 103 kg chloride waste/tonne TiO₂ pigment

• If synthetic rutile ore is used: 179 kg chloride waste/tonne TiO₂ pigment

• If slag ore is used: 329 kg chloride waste/tonne TiO₂ pigment

If more than one type of ore is used, the values will apply in proportion to the quantity of the individual ore types used.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall submit supporting documentation showing compliance by the titanium dioxide producer manufacturing the raw material for the paint product either in the form of a declaration of non-use or a declaration supported by data indicating that the respective levels of process emissions and waste discharges of wastes are met.

In order to demonstrate the efficiency in use of paints and varnishes the following tests per type of paint and/or varnish, as indicated in Table 2, shall be undertaken:

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The final product shall not contain hazardous substances and mixtures in accordance with the rules set out in the following sub-criteria which apply to:

• Hazard classifications and risk phrases

• Substances of Very High Concern

• Specific other listed substances

Applicants are required to evidence that the final product formulation complies with the overall assessment and verification requirements together with any additional requirements contained within the Appendix.

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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 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.

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