SINGAPORE GREEN

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.

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 1

 The Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) was launched in May 1992 by the Ministry of
the Environment. It was handed over to the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) on 5 June
1999 and is currently fully owned by the SEC.

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.

SEC is recognized as a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), an association of

third-party, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations to
improve, promote, and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services. The SGLS has been
successfully audited by the GEN as meeting ISO 14024 and ISO Guide 65 standards for the
GENICES accreditation in October 2011.

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:

Singapore Green Labeling Scheme

1 Kay Siang Road #04-02
Singapore 248922
+65 6337 6062
greenlabel@sec.org.sg
www.sec.org.sg

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 2

Table of Contents
I. Scope....................................................................................................................................................... 4
II. Rationale................................................................................................................................................ 5
III. Definitions ............................................................................................................................................. 7
IV. Green Label Certification Checklist .............................................................................................10
A. General product performance requirements ................................................................................................................ 10
B. Health and environment requirements ........................................................................................................................... 11
C. Life cycle considerations ......................................................................................................................................................... 15
D. Labeling requirements ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
E. Use of the Green Label ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
V. References ...........................................................................................................................................17

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 3

 I. Scope
This category establishes criteria to label the following types of paints and surface coatings:

Epoxy paints (either powder, water- or solvent- based)

Powder coatings
Solvent-based coatings
Recycled paint
Water-based coatings (including polymer emulsion paints)
It excludes the following types of paints and coatings:

Laminate coatings
PVC membrane coatings

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 4

 II. Rationale
Paints provide protective and decorative coatings for a wide range of surfaces. The protection
paints provide to many surfaces, to prevent corrosion and deterioration, can significantly prolong
the useful life of structures and claddings. This generates important environmental benefits by
reducing resource use demands associated with repairing and replacing those structures and
claddings. Paint products can have significant impacts on the environment throughout their
lifecycle, including through the release of environmentally harmful substances: during
manufacturing processes; when paints are being applied; from painted surfaces throughout their
life; and when unused paint is disposed or paint is removed.

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.

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 5

Another result of the lifecycle assessments has been that production processes for white pigments
(in particular titanium dioxide TiO2) as one of the main impacts of paint products across their
life cycle. Measures to reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency and to minimise the
use of TiO2 will help to reduce impacts on the environment from production processes. Measures
to encourage reuse, recycling and correct disposal of unwanted paint will help to divert waste
from landfills and reduce the adverse effects at the disposal stage of the products life cycle.
Packaging for paint products is a potentially significant use of resources. It comprises over
30% of the materials associated with post-consumer paint waste (steel 25%, plastic 6%).
Measures to ensure packaging materials are able to be recycled and to encourage recycled
content to be included in the packaging will help to reduce demand on raw materials and divert
waste from landfills. Consumer behaviour is an important aspect that can affect the
environmental impacts of paint products. Selecting the correct products and applying these
correctly helps to ensure efficient use of resources. Following appropriate processes to clean
equipment will reduce the impacts of discharges during paint application stages of the life cycle.
Correctly storing and disposing of unwanted paint will help to reduce impacts by
facilitating reuse, recycling and diversion of wastes (including packaging) from landfills.

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 6

 III. Definitions
Anti-Corrosive Coating A coating formulated and recommended for use in preventing the corrosion of metal
substrates.

Carcinogen Any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.

Detailed: A chemical listed as a known, probable, reasonably anticipated, or possible human

carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Groups 1, 2A, and 2B), the
National Toxicology Program (Groups 1 and 2), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (weight-of-evidence classifications A, B1, B2, and
C, carcinogenic, likely to be carcinogenic, and suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity or
carcinogen potential), or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

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)

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 7

 hazardous air pollutant.

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

Paint A pigmented coating. See definition for Coating.

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

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 8

 Detailed: A chemical listed as a reproductive toxin (including developmental, female, and
male toxins) by the State of California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement
Act of 1986 (California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 2, Subdivision 1, Chapter 3,
Sections 1200, et. Seq.).

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

Topcoat The outermost layer of paint or coating system.

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

Water-based coatings A coating for which liquid vehicle is water

(including polymer
emulsion paints)

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 9

 IV. Green Label Certification Checklist

A. General product performance requirements

Supporting
Criteria documents
1. Fit-for-use

All relevant third

As a prerequisite to apply for the Green Label, the product must be of a
party laboratory
minimum quality and able to perform its intended purpose. It is recommended
test reports
that the product meets the performance requirements of relevant Singapore
Standards (e.g. SS 5, 88, 89, 150, 221, 542), ASTM or BSI performance
standards.

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.

B. Health and environment requirements

3. Environmental management system at manufacturing facility

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.

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 12

 5. Content limits for toxic substances
A signed
White pigments declaration from
2
Interior paints and exterior coatings other than long-life 30g/m dry film as executive
applied officers
Primers, sealers and undercoats 30g/m2 dry film as applied
Long life exterior coating* 40g/m2 dry film as applied or
Heat reflective long life coating 50g/m2 dry film as applied
Other coatings 36g/m2 dry film as applied Documentation
(Exceptions: varnishes and wood stains) showing the
content of white
pigments and the
Carbon black
spreading rate,
Limit to 1% by weight
together with the
detailed
Formaldehyde-donors
calculation
Limit to 0.001% by weight of free formaldehyde after tinting (if applicable)
showing
compliance with
Volatile aromatic hydrocarbons
this criterion
Limit to 0.5% by weight

and
Isothiazolinone compounds
Limit to 0.05% by weight
All relevant third
party laboratory
test reports

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 13

 Volatile Organic Compounds

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:

Paint Type VOC (g/ L) VOC (g/ L)

Excluding water With colorant
and tinting added added at point-
at point-of-sale of-sale
Primer or undercoat 60 110

Flat topcoat 35 85
Non-flat topcoat 80 130
Stains & varnishes 75 75

Anti-corrosive 250 300

Reflective wall coating 50 100
Reflective roof coating 100 150

One-pack performance 100 100

coatings
Two-pack reactive 100 100
performance coatings*
Decorative effect 90 90
coatings
Powder coating 10 10

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 14

 C. Life cycle considerations
6. Storage of Raw Materials A signed
The paint & surface coating manufacturer must have policies and procedure declaration from
covering appropriate storage and handling of hazardous raw materials. The policies executive
and procedure should ensure the hazardous substance is located and managed to officers
prevent contamination of surface water or land. or
Documentation
7. Raw Material Processing showing the
The fuel used within the manufacturing plant shall consist of alternative fuels conformance of
the policies and
8. Waste Management procedure (point
6)
The paint & surface coating manufacturer must have effective waste management and
policies and procedure and/or a waste management programs covering Documentation
manufacturing operations. showing
alternative fuel
used (point 7)
and
Documentation
showing waste
management
policies,
procedure and
programs.

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

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 15

 temperature
Recommendations on preventive protection measures for the painter and
adequate ventilation during drying time
Recommendations concerning product storage conditions after opening
(in order to limit solid waste)
Reminder to not dispose of unused paint with household waste as it
requires specialist handling for safe environmental disposal
Recommendation to consult local authorities for disposal or recycling
advice. If the manufacturer provides a take-back program, the label shall
include instructions on how the product and packaging can be returned.

E. Use of the Green Label

10. Rules governing display of the Green Label (i) A full
Tinting systems ingredients list for
Paints are often tinted with colorants and other tinters to create different each end product
combinations of final end products. These end products may use the Green seeking the Green
Label if and only if it is demonstrated that either: Label
(i) they consist only of base paints which have individually been certified endorsement;
with the Green Label, OR or
(ii) all non-Green Label certified tinters added are declared to adhere to all (ii) A signed
standards specified above. declaration from
Certification Mark executive officers
The Green Label Certification Mark may appear on the product, packaging, confirming that the
secondary documents, and promotional materials, only in conjunction with the non-Green Label
certified product. certified
The Green Label Certification Mark shall not be used in conjunction with any ingredients adhere
modifying terms, phrases, or graphic images that might mislead consumers as to all Green Label
to the extent or nature of the certification. standards specified
above.

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 16

 V. References

EU Ecolabel, COMMISSION DECISION of 13 August 2008 establishing the ecological criteria

for the award of the Community eco-label to indoor paints and varnishes ((2009/544/EC)
http://eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2009D0544:20111116:EN:PDF

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

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Clean Air Act

http://epa.gov/oar/caa/title1.html

SGLS Category 32: Paints and Surface Coatings 17