1. (a) VOC content limits. Except as provided in subsections (b), (c) and (g), a person after January 1, 2005, may not:

   1. (1) Manufacture, blend or repackage for sale within this Commonwealth a coating subject to this subchapter with a VOC content in excess of the corresponding limit specified in Table 1.
   2. (2) Supply, sell or offer for sale within this Commonwealth a coating subject to this subchapter with a VOC content in excess of the corresponding limit specified in Table 1.
   3. (3) Solicit for application or apply within this Commonwealth, a coating subject to this subchapter with a VOC content in excess of the corresponding limit specified in Table 1.

2. (b) Most restrictive VOC limit. If on the container of an architectural or industrial maintenance coating, or a label or sticker affixed to the container, or in sales, advertising or technical literature supplied by a manufacturer or a person acting on their behalf, a representation is made that indicates that the coating meets the definition of or is recommended for use for more than one of the coating categories listed in Table 1, then the most restrictive VOC content limit applies. This provision does not apply to the following coating categories:

   1. (1) Lacquer coatings (including lacquer sanding sealers).
   2. (2) Metallic pigmented coatings.
   3. (3) Shellacs.
   4. (4) Fire-retardant coatings.
   5. (5) Pretreatment wash primers.
   6. (6) Industrial maintenance coatings.
   7. (7) Low-solids coatings.
   8. (8) Wood preservatives.
   9. (9) High-temperature coatings.
   10. (10) Temperature-indicator safety coatings.
   11. (11) Antenna coatings.
   12. (12) Antifouling coatings.
   13. (13) Flow coatings.
   14. (14) Bituminous roof primers.
   15. (15) Specialty primers, sealers and undercoaters.
   16. (16) Calcimine recoaters.
   17. (17) Impacted immersion coatings.
   18. (18) Nuclear coatings.
   19. (19) Thermoplastic rubber coatings and mastic.
3. (c) Sell-through of architectural or industrial maintenance coatings. An architectural or industrial maintenance coating manufactured prior to January 1, 2005, may be sold, supplied, offered for sale or applied after January 1, 2005, so long as the architectural or industrial maintenance coating complied with the standards in effect at the time the coating was manufactured.
4. (d) Thinning. A person may not apply or solicit the application of an architectural and industrial maintenance coating that is thinned to exceed the applicable VOC limit specified in Table 1.
5. (e) Rust-preventive coatings. A person may not apply or solicit the application of a rust-preventive coating for industrial use, unless the rust-preventive coating complies with the industrial maintenance coating VOC limit specified in Table 1.
6. (f) Coatings not listed in Table 1. For an architectural or industrial maintenance coating that does not meet the definitions for the specialty coatings categories listed in Table 1, the VOC content limit shall be determined by classifying the coating as a flat coating or a nonflat coating, based on its gloss as defined in § 130.602 (relating to definitions), and the corresponding flat or nonflat coating limit applies.

7. (g) Lacquers. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), a person or facility may add up to 10% by volume of VOC to a lacquer to avoid blushing of the finish during days with relative humidity greater than 70% and temperature below 65°F, at the time of application, provided that the coating contains acetone and no more than 550 grams of VOC per liter of coating, less water and exempt compounds, prior to the addition of VOC.

   The VOC content limits are effective on January 1, 2005, and are expressed in grams of VOC per liter¹ of coating thinned to the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation, excluding the volume of any water, exempt compounds, or colorant added to tint bases. ‘‘Manufacturer’s maximum recommendation’’ means the maximum recommendation for thinning that is indicated on the label or lid of the coating container.

   Coating Category	VOC Content Limit
   Nonspecialty Coatings
   Flat Coatings	100
   Nonflat Coatings	150
   Nonflat High Gloss Coatings	250
   Specialty Coatings
   Antenna Coatings	530
   Antifouling Coatings	400
   Bituminous Roof Coatings	300
   Bituminous Roof Primers	350
   Bond Breakers	350
   Calcimine Recoaters	475
   Clear Wood Coatings
   —Clear Brushing Lacquers	680
   —Conversion Varnish	725
   —Sanding Sealers (other than Lacquer Sanding Sealers)	350
   —Varnishes	350

   ¹ Conversion factor: 1 pound VOC per gallon (U.S.) = 119.95 grams per liter.

   Coating Category	VOC Content Limit
   Concrete Curing Compounds	350
   Concrete Surface Retarders	780
   Dry Fog Coatings	400
   Faux Finishing Coatings	350
   Fire-Resistive Coatings	350
   Fire-Retardant Coatings
   —Clear	650
   —Opaque	350
   Floor Coatings	250
   Flow Coatings	420
   Form-Release Compounds	250
   Graphic Arts Coatings (Sign Paints)	500
   High-Temperature Coatings	420
   Impacted Immersion Coatings	780
   Industrial Maintenance Coatings	340
   Lacquers (including Lacquer Sanding Sealers)	550
   Low-Solids Coatings	1202
   Magnesite Cement Coatings	450
   Mastic Texture Coatings	300
   Metallic Pigmented Coatings	500
   Multi-Color Coatings	250
   Nuclear Coatings	450
   Pretreatment Wash Primers	420
   Primers, Sealers, and Undercoaters	200
   Quick-Dry Enamels	250
   Quick-Dry Primers, Sealers and Undercoaters	200
   Recycled Coatings	250
   Roof Coatings	250
   Rust-Preventive Coatings	400
   Shellacs
   —Clear	730
   —Opaque	550
   Specialty Primers, Sealers and Undercoaters	350
   Stains	250

   ² Including water and exempt solvents

   Coating Category	VOC Content Limit
   Swimming Pool Coatings	340
   Swimming Pool Repair and Maintenance Coatings	340
   Temperature-Indicator Safety Coatings	550
   Thermoplastic Rubber Coatings and Mastic	550
   Traffic Marking Coatings	150
   Waterproofing Sealers	250
   Waterproofing Concrete/Masonry Sealers	400
   Wood Preservatives	350

Table 1

VOC Content Limits for Architectural and Industrial Maintenance Coatings

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 130.606 (relating to application for variance); 25 Pa. Code § 130.607 (relating to variance orders); 25 Pa. Code § 130.609 (relating to extension, modification or revocation of variance); and 25 Pa. Code § 130.611 (relating to compliance provisions and test methods).