SGLS 32 - Paint Surface Coatings
SGLS 32 - Paint Surface Coatings
SGLS 32 - Paint Surface Coatings
LABELLING SCHEME
CERTIFICATION
GUIDE
Category 32:
Paints & Surface Coatings
Edition: 2
Published date: 11 10 2013
Effective date: 11 11 2013
These criteria have been prepared specifically for the Singapore Green Label Scheme. The Singapore
Environment Council accepts no responsibility for any use by any party of information in the document in
any other context or for any other purpose.
The Green Label aims to help the public identify environment-friendly products that meet certain
eco-standards specified by the scheme and seeks to encourage the level of eco-consumerism in
Singapore as well as to identify the growing demand for greener products in the market. The
scheme hopes to create a backlash effect, encouraging manufacturers to design and manufacture
with the environment in mind.
Green Label offers certification of a range of products in conformance with its standards. For
additional information on the SGLS or any of the SECs programmes, contact:
Laminate coatings
PVC membrane coatings
A range of environmentally harmful substances is used in paint products. Many of these present
specific concerns for human health and the environment, for example: heavy metals that have
human toxicity hazards as well as ecotoxic effects in the environment; solvents, such as
hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, ethylene glycols and glycol ethers,
which can have toxicity effects on human reproduction and development and impacts on air
quality (including ozone depletion or ozone formation); substances that are, or are probably,
human carcinogens or mutagens or have other significant toxic hazards for humans or ecotoxic
effects in aquatic environments; and volatile organic compounds can be released at
concentrations indoors that can be associated with a variety of illnesses including eye, nose, and
throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and damage to liver, kidney, and central
nervous system.
Restricting and minimising the content of the environmentally harmful substances in paint
products reduces the nature and level of hazard and releases of environmentally harmful
substances during manufacturing, use and disposal. Manufacturing processes, including those for
raw materials used in paints can involve significant use of energy (with associated carbon
dioxide emissions contributing to global warming) and may produce significant volumes or
hazardous wastes and discharges. Life cycle work completed in Europe has identified solvent-
based paints to contribute 30% more emissions than water-based paints.
Carcinogen Any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.
Coating Liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition that is converted to a solid adherent film after
application to a substrate as a thin layer and is used for decorating, protecting, identifying or
to serve some functional purpose such as the filling or concealing of surface irregularities or
the modification of light and heat radiation characteristics and is intended for on-site
application to interior or exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, institutional or
industrial buildings. For the purposes of this standard, the definition of paint or coating
does not include stains, clear finishes, recycled latex paint, specialty (industrial, marine or
automotive) coatings or paint sold in aerosol cans
Colorant Concentrated colour (dyes or pigments) that can be added to finished paints or
coatings to make specific colours. Unless specified otherwise, it is the maximum amount
of colorant recommended for use by the manufacturer
Decorative effects Coatings designed to give special aesthetic effects over specially prepared pre-painted
coatings substrates or base coats and subsequently treated with various tools during the drying period
Elastomeric Reflective A coating that is designed and intended for the modification of light and heat
Wall Coatings radiation characteristics and has elastic properties and can stretch in the summertime heat
and return to its original shape without damage.
Epoxy Any of various usually thermosetting resins capable of forming tight cross-linked polymer
structures characterized by toughness, strong adhesion, and low shrinkage, used especially in
surface coatings and adhesives
Flat Paint or coating whose specular gloss registers less than 15 on an 85-degree meter or less
than 5 on a 60-degree meter according to ASTM Method D 52389, Standard Test Method
for Specular Gloss with a DFT of 17 dry mils or greater.
Floor Paint Opaque coatings that are formulated for or applied to flooring surfaces that have a DFT of
10 mils (0.25mm) or less and are applied by roller or brush. For the purposes of this
standard, floor paints do not include epoxy or urethane flooring systems that include coarse
aggregates, colour chips or flakes as part of a multi-part flooring system. Floor paints also
do not include floor finishes which are defined as any product that leaves a protective wax,
polymer or resin coating that is designed to be periodically removed and reapplied.
Hazardous Air Pollutant Any compound listed by the U.S. EPA in the Clean Air Act Section 112(b) (1) as a
(HAP)
Laminate coatings Overlay the paint with a layer of plastic or other forms of protective materials
Mutagen A physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an organism
and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As
many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are typically also carcinogens.
Detailed: A chemical that meets the criteria for category 1, chemicals known to induce
heritable mutations or to be regarded as if they induce heritable mutations in the germ cells of
humans, under the Harmonized System for the Classification Of Chemicals Which Cause
Mutations in Germ Cells (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Globally
Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals).
Non-Flat Paint or coating whose specular gloss registers 15 or greater on an 85-degree meter or 5 or
greater on a 60-degree meter according to ASTM Method D 52389, Standard Test
Method for Specular Gloss Paint.
Non-Elastomeric Latex and thermoplastic coatings designed and intended for the modification of light and
Reflective Wall heat radiation characteristics with a DFT of 5 dry mils or greater
Coatings
One-pack performance Performance coatings based on film-forming material. They are designed for applications
coatings requiring a special performance, such as primer and topcoats for plastics, primer coat for
ferrous substrates, primer coat for reactive metals such as zinc and aluminum, anticorrosion
finishes, floor coatings, including for wood and cement floors, graffiti resistance, flame
retardant, and hygiene standards in the food or drink industry or health service
Ozone-Depleting A compound with an ozone-depletion potential greater than 0.01 (CFC 11=1)
Compounds
Powder coating A type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. It does not require solvent to
keep the binder and filler parts in liquid suspension form.
Primer or Undercoat Coating that is formulated and recommended for one or more of the following purposes: to
provide a firm bond between the substrate and a subsequent coating; to prevent a subsequent
coating from being absorbed into the substrate; to prevent harm to a subsequent coating from
materials in the substrate or to provide a smooth surface for application of a subsequent
coating.
PVC membrane coatings Thermoplastic material which serves as a selective barrier between two phases.
Recycled Paint Paint that is made from previous paints, most often the highest quality of latex paint.
Reflective Roof Coating A non-bituminous coating labelled and formulated for application to roofs for the primary
purpose of reflecting ultraviolet light or reflecting solar radiation.
Reproductive Toxin Harmful substances such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), that damages reproductive
organs and can cause sterility or birth defects
Solvent-based coating The coating requires solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in liquid suspension form.
Stains and varnishes A semitransparent or opaque coating labeled and formulated to change the color of a surface
but not conceal the grain pattern or texture. A clear coating material which applied to a
substrate forms solid transparent film with protective, decorative or specific technical
properties
Two-pack performance Coatings with the same use as one-performance coatings, but with a second component
coatings (e.g. tertiary amines) added prior to application
Volatile Aromatic Any hydrocarbon compound containing at least one benzene ring in its molecular structure
Compound with a boiling point equal to or less than 250C measured at standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.
Volatile Organic Any organic compound (compound which contains carbon) with either a boiling point
Compound (VOC) with equal or below 250C measured at standard pressure of 101.3kPa
Supporting
Criteria documents
1. Fit-for-use
In addition to the above, paints and coatings with the following specialized
functions are recommended to obtain corresponding Singapore/ ASTM
standards.
Anti-corrosive coatings
Floor paints
Interior topcoats
Exterior topcoats
Non-Elastomeric Reflective Wall Coatings
Elastomeric Reflective Wall Coatings
Reflective Roof Coatings (Specifically)
- Solar reflectance: The product shall meet the requirements as listed below as
determined by (ASTM C1549-04 Standard Test Method for Determination of
Solar Reflectance near Ambient Temperature Using a Portable Solar
Reflectometer) or (ASTM E1918-06 Standard Test Method for Measuring
Solar Reflectance of Horizontal and Low-Sloped Surfaces in the Field).
Characteristic Performance Specification
Low-Slope Roofs Steep-Slope Roofs
Initial Solar Reflectance 0.65 0.25
Maintenance of Solar 0.50 (three years after 0.15 (three years after
Reflectance installation under normal installation under normal
conditions) conditions)
SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 10
- Thermal emittance: The product shall have a thermal emittance of 80% or
more as determined by (ASTM C1371-04a Standard Test Method for
Determination of Emittance of Materials Near Room Temperature Using
Portable Emissometers).
2. Flash point
All relevant third
Liquid paints and coatings must have a flash point of 61.0C or greater. Solid
party laboratory
paints (in powder form) are recommended but not required to take equivalent
test reports
tests.
The company is required to have ISO (or equivalent) environmental management ISO 14001 (or
systems in place. equivalent)
If the facility producing the product(s) seeking endorsement under the SGLS is management
located within Singapore, emissions to the air and water during the production certifications,
process shall be controlled within the environment regulation limits set by the or
NEA in the Code of Practice on Pollution Control (2000). environmental
Overseas manufacturing facilities producing the product(s) seeking endorsement management
under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme shall comply with the relevant guidelines and a
local legislation. The applicant must provide details of the manufacturing declaration that
processes in these units. the company is
- Additionally, waste released in the environment shall not exceed acceptable in the process of
levels of impact on the receiving land or water bodies. obtaining the
relevant
- Effective waste minimisation procedures and policies are to be in place, as
certifications
well as measures to recycle waste materials from the production process.
and
- Solid waste generated is to be, as much as possible, diverted from landfill for Documentation
later recovery or recycling. All non-diverted waste is to be recorded (weight on the
and nature of the substance, and information on the disposal method). The manufacturing
manufacturing firm is also to actively find ways to improve its
SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 11
recovering/recycling processes and policies. process,
including waste
- In particular, the facility must track and report its SOx emissions (expressed
management
as SO2), sulphate wastes and chloride wastes. This is on account of TiO2
processes
production known to produce high amounts of these categories of waste.
4. Prohibited Substances
The following substances are known to be toxic to human health and/or the
All relevant third
environment, and their inclusion in the product (including in the solvent or
party laboratory
tinter) is strictly prohibited:
test reports
1,2-dichlorobenzene
Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs)
and
Perfluorinated alkyl sulfonates (PFAS) and perfluorinated carboxylic acids
(PFCA)
A signed
Formaldehyde
declaration from
Heavy metals (elemental or compound form) - Limit to 0.01% by weight
executive
- Lead (Pb) - Mercury (Hg)
officers
- Cadmium (Cd) - Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+)
- Arsenic - Antimony
- Selenium - Barium (excluding barium sulphate)
Phthalates (Unless proven that there is no adverse effect on health)
Organotin compounds including triphenyl and tributyl tins
Glycol ethers including but not limited to the following:
- Ethylene glycol methyl ether - 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy) ethanol
- 2-Methoxyethyl acetate - Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether
- Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether - Diethylene glycol diethyl ether
- Ethylene glycol ethyl ether - Triethylene glycol dimethyl
- Ethylene acetate glycol ethyl ether
ether
The use of any other substances - carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins,
hazardous air pollutants, ozone-depleting chemicals is prohibited.
and
Isothiazolinone compounds
Limit to 0.05% by weight
All relevant third
party laboratory
test reports
The total content of volatile organic compounds in the product must not exceed
those stated in the following table. These amounts exclude water and tinting
added at the point-of-sale as shall not exceed the following:
Flat topcoat 35 85
Non-flat topcoat 80 130
Stains & varnishes 75 75
D. Labeling requirements
9. Labeling A sample of the
The label on the product should include the following information, specific to the product
product or product type: packaging
The intended use, substrate and conditions of use, including proper
substrate preparation, advice on indoor use (if applicable), and
Good Environmental Choice Australia, Environmental Performance Standard for Paints and
Coatings (Standard no GECA 23-2012 v2.2)
http://www.geca.org.au/media/medialibrary/2013/03/GECA_23-2012_v2_2_final.pdf
Green Seal Inc., GS-11 Green Seal Standard for Paints and Coatings (Edition 3.1)
http://www.greenseal.org/Portals/0/Documents/Standards/GS-11/GS-11_Ed3-
1_Paints_and_Coatings.pdf
SGBC Evaluation Criteria for Green Building Product Certification- Facade and Roof System:
Paints and Coatings, February 2011
The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust, Licence Criteria for Paints (EC-07-09)
http://www.environmentalchoice.org.nz/docs/publishedspecifications/ec0709paints.pdf