New air quality regulations for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) levels went into effect around the country beginning in January 2005. In many U.S. states, including Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the VOC limit for finishes will drop to 350 VOC g/L. In 2003, California was the first state to enact a 350 VOC limit for finishes.
In states where new laws have been adopted contractors can be fined up to $500 per gallon for use of noncompliant products such as oil-modified and moisture-cure polyurethanes with VOC levels above 350 g/L. Distributors can be fined up to $4,000 per offense and manufacturers can be fined up to $10,000 per offense for administrative requirements.
VOC regulations
United States VOC Regulations >>
Canadian VOC Regulations >>
Règlements canadiens de C.O.V. (composes organiques volatils) en français >>
Industry Websites for Info on Architectural Coatings and VOC Regulations
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 202/272-0167, www.epa.gov
EPA National Rule - http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/183e/aim/fr1191.pdf
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Sacramento, CA 916/332-2990 or 800/242-4450, www.arb.ca.gov/coatings/arch/rules/ruleinfo.htm
Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO/MRPO)
Midwest Regional Planning Organization - www.ladco.org
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
Chesterfield, MO 800/422-4556, www.nwfa.org
Ozone Transport Commission (OTC)
Washington, DC 202/508-3840, www.otcair.org
Ozone Transport Commission States*
OTC Map - http://www.otcair.org/state_links.asp
Delaware - http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/air/aqm_page/docs/pdf/reg_41.pdf
District of Columbia – Final rule not on website
Maryland - http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/laws/aimcpfr.pdf
New Hampshire - http://www.des.state.nh.us/rules/env-a4200.pdf
New Jersey - http://www.state.nj.us/dep/aqm/Sub23finalrule.pdf
New York - http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4279.html
Ohio - http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/regs/3745-113/3745_113.html
Pennsylvania - http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter130/subchapCtoc.html
Virginia - http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/pdf/airregs/449.pdf
* The OTC is a multi-state organization created by Congress to assist member states in developing regulations to meet EPA air quality standards