What is the proposed low VOC legislation and how will it impact the collision repair industry?
Environment Canada believes as an industry we can further reduce VOC emissions by 2 kilotonnes per year with the newly proposed VOC content regulations. They’ve defined different product categories and have set aggressive limits for each category. For example: primers and clears would have a VOC limit of 250 gm/l, and basecoats would have a VOC limit of 420 gm/l. Based on the technology available today, waterborne basecoats will be required to meet the 420 gm/l VOC limit. Environment Canada’s proposal applies to the paint manufacturer in a prohibition of sale, import and manufacturing and distributor, which is more easily enforced than a shop prohibition of use. The regulation would apply to any coating used or recommended for use in refinishing, service, maintenance, restoration, repair or modification, except metal plating activities, of a motor vehicle (trucks, trailers, passenger vehicles) or mobile equipment (mobile cranes, bulldozers, farm equipment). The regulation wouldn’t appl
