Decorative paints manufacturers can now use of the statement ‘TRACE’ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

The TRACE globe, which is part of the British Coatings Federation (BCF)’s VOC Globe scheme to improve communication to consumers, can be used for products with VOC content of less than 0.1%.

Paints contain different levels of solvents, also known as VOCs. Solvent content can vary from negligible amounts to, in a very small number of products, very high levels.

Given that VOCs contribute to atmospheric pollution, the industry is committed to reducing the level of solvent in paints. Decorative paint manufacturers have significantly reduced the presence of VOCs in their products over the last two decades, with 84% of decorative paints now sold on the market being water-based, and therefore low or very low VOC.

The VOC Globe scheme is part of a wider initiative by the coatings industry to raise consumer awareness of the amount of VOCs contained in decorative paint products, allowing consumers to make more informed, and hopefully greener choices.

The scheme includes six different grades:

  • ‘TRACE’ = VOC content <0.1%
  • ‘MINIMAL’ = VOC content 0.1 - 0.29%
  • ‘LOW’ = VOC content 0.30 – 7.99%
  • ‘MEDIUM’ = VOC content 8 – 24.99%
  • ‘HIGH’ = VOC content 25 – 50%
  • 'VERY HIGH’ = VOC content more than 50%

Greater involvement from paint manufacturers in the scheme will also greatly help paint recyclers separate solvent-based and water-based leftover paint, which aids reuse and recycling.

The British Coatings Federation takes the position that the use of the terms ‘Zero-VOC’ and ‘VOC-free’ are false claims and should not be used in the paint industry. There will always be a trace element of VOCs, even if no raw materials containing VOCs have been added. Even water can contain trace amounts of VOC.

Supply chains for the manufacture of paint are often complex, and VOCs, even at negligible amounts, can be introduced during any part of the process, through using raw materials that naturally contain VOCs, to processes that introduce VOCs, such as washing those raw materials. It is therefore impossible to ensure that every batch of paint is completely free of VOCs.

The VOC Globe scheme is owned, managed and copyrighted by the British Coatings Federation. To coincide with the addition of the TRACE globe, the artwork for all the other ratings has also been updated.