Limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents incertain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products

PURPOSE : to limit the total content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Directive 2004/42/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC. CONTENT : The aim of this Directive is to limit the total content of VOCs in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products in order to prevent or reduce air pollution resulting from the contribution of VOCs to the formation of tropospheric ozone. To achieve this objective the Directive approximates the technical specifications for certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products. These products are set out in Annex I. This Directive complements Community provisions on the labelling of chemical substances and preparations. The Directive provides that Member States must ensure that the products set out in Annex I are placed on the market within their territory after the dates laid down in Annex II only if they have a VOC content not exceeding the limit values set out in Annex II and comply with the labelling requirements set out in the directive. These require that the label must indicate: - the subcategory of the product and the relevant VOC limit values in g/l as referred to in Annex II; - the maximum content of VOC in g/l of the product in a ready to use condition. Member States must designate a competent authority responsible for fulfilling the obligations laid down in this Directive, and must inform the Commission not later than 30 April 2005. They must also set up a monitoring programme for the purpose of verifying compliance with the Directive. The results of the monitoring programme and the categories and quantities of products licensed must be reported. The first two reports must be submitted to the Commission 18 months after the dates for compliance with the VOC content limit values laid down in Annex II. Subsequently a report will be submitted every five years. Member States are obliged to permit free circulation of products falling under the scope of the Directive which, in their ready for use condition, comply with the requirements of the Directive. The Commission is invited to submit to the European Parliament and the Council by 2008 at the latest, a report examining: - the broad scope and potential for making reductions in the VOC content of products outside the scope of the Directive including aerosols for paints and varnishes; - the possible introduction of a further (phase II) reduction in the VOC content of vehicle refinishing products; - any new element relating to the socio-economic impact of the application of phase II as foreseen for paints and varnishes. The commission should also submit at the latest 30 months after the date of implementation of the VOC content limit values of Annex II phase II, a report taking account any technological developments in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products. This report will examine the broad scope and potential for making further reductions in VOC content of products inside the scope of the Directive, including the possible distinction between paints used for interiors andexteriors. DATE OF TRANSPOSITION : 30 October 2005. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 30 April 2004.�