Various eco-labels exist in Europe, designed to help consumers identify paints that have a superior environmental profile. These labels appear in the form of logos on paint cans and mean that the paint fulfils certain environmental requirements.

Varying by country, independent organisations award ecological labels, in accordance with
national regulations.

The main eco-labels are:

In the UK, the VOC labels (see above) indicate the content of VOCs in decorative coatings. There is no standard logo, but many manufacturers and retailers have adopted the form of logo shown which was developed by B&Q. Relevant coatings products display one of five classifications of label to show the amount of VOC content within the product. These are Minimal (VOC content 0%- 0.29%), Low, Medium, High, and Very High (VOC Content of more than 50%)

Overall, the precise evaluation criteria of the various products in Europe vary from label to label, but the following major aspects are common key criteria:

• Limitation of dangerous substances for both environment and health.

• Limiting the use of:

• White pigments.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (VAHs).
• Preservatives.
• Dispersants.

• Reduction of:

• Sulphur emissions during the production of titanium dioxide.
• Dangerous waste from the production of titanium dioxide.
• Air pollutants ( CO2, SOx, NOx, ..).

• Absence of certain products:

• Leading to the classification of paints and varnishes such as: very toxic, dangerous for the environment, carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction and mutagenic.
• The following heavy metals and their compounds: Cd, Pb, Cr VI, Hg, As.
• Aklylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), Diethylene glycol, methyl ether.

More detailed information on eco-labels can be found at the following websites:

EU Eco-label home page

Indoor paints

Global Ecolabelling Network