VOC compliance Construction tools
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VOC Regional Compliance Checker for Architectural Coatings

Enter the country or region, coating category, VOC value, and basis to check the rule that applies to that market.

The initial packs cover EPA architectural coatings and EU/EEA decorative paints for a fast first-pass review.

Regional pack Category VOC Limit Sources
How to use Samples Notice Glossary Logic FAQ

Key points

Designed for fast first-pass checks before quotes, specifications, or exports.

Pack-based rules

Start with EPA, EU/EEA, or Custom, then expand the registry as new packs are added.

Basis-aware checks

If the VOC basis does not match, the tool asks for review instead of guessing.

Ready to share

Copy the result or share the current URL for quotes, handoffs, and specification checks.

How to use

Use the panel below to move from market selection to a regulation check in one pass.

  1. 1. Choose a country or region pack.
  2. 2. Choose a coating category and add 60° gloss or product form when required.
  3. 3. Enter the VOC value and a basis such as ready-to-use or thinned-to-max-recommendation.
  4. 4. Review the status, limit, margin, and label notes before relying on the result.
  5. 5. Copy the result or share the current URL when you need to hand it off.

Samples

EPA architectural-coatings quick check

Input

Country/region = United States (EPA), category = Flat coatings, VOC = 180 g/L, basis = thinned-to-max-recommendation, product form = liquid

Output

Status = likely compliant, limit = 250 g/L, margin = +70 g/L, note = compare after excluding water, exempt compounds, and tint-base colorant

EU/EEA decorative-paint quick check

Input

Country/region = EU/EEA (Decopaint), category = Interior matt walls and ceilings (WB), VOC = 42 g/L, basis = ready-to-use, 60° gloss = 12, product form = liquid

Output

Status = likely over limit, limit = 30 g/L, margin = -12 g/L, note = confirm the subcategory and ready-to-use g/L on the label

Custom / other-region quick check

Input

Country/region = Custom / other region, category = Custom / special case, VOC = 45 g/L, basis = ready-to-use, custom limit = 50 g/L

Output

Status = likely compliant, limit = 50 g/L, margin = +5 g/L, note = show the custom note as entered

Notes

  • This tool provides preliminary checks only. Final compliance must follow the destination market's law, local rules, product label, SDS, and latest manufacturer specifications.
  • EPA and EU use different VOC bases. When the basis does not match, the tool requests review instead of guessing.
  • Aerosols and specialty industrial coatings may fall outside the architectural packs.
  • The pack registry is versioned so legal updates can raise the version and trigger a fresh review.

Glossary

VOC

Volatile organic compounds; regulations often specify a limit in g/L.

ready-to-use

The value in the condition ready for use, including required additions.

thinned-to-max-recommendation

The value after the manufacturer's maximum recommended thinning.

WB / SB

WB means waterborne and SB means solventborne.

subcategory

The product subcategory shown on EU labels.

overlay

Additional rules from a state or province.

manual review

A state where the tool cannot make a definitive automated decision because data is missing or the basis does not match.

Evaluation logic

  • normalizedVOC = convert(vocValue, vocUnit -> packUnit)
  • margin = limit - normalizedVOC
  • usageRatio = normalizedVOC / limit
  • pass = normalizedVOC <= limit
  • warn = pass and usageRatio >= warningThreshold
  • review = missing required data / basis mismatch / unresolved category

FAQ

Why do EPA and EU give different results for the same VOC value?

The measurement bases differ. EPA uses thinned-to-max-recommendation, while the EU uses ready-to-use values.

Why is 60° gloss needed?

It separates EU matt and glossy categories and helps the EPA auto mode choose flat or nonflat.

Can aerosols be checked?

Aerosols are outside the scope of the architectural packs. Use a custom pack or another pack if needed.

What if my market is not listed yet?

Use Custom / other region for a first-pass check, then add an official pack when one is available.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is only a preliminary screening tool. Confirm the final result against local law and the product label.