Vauxhall Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

VOC guideline - background information

VOC emissions

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can be directly harmful to human health and when combined with oxides of nitrogen and strong sunlight they can contribute to the formation of ozone close to the soil. In some countries in Europe, levels in excess of 50% of VOC emissions can be reached in areas where solvents are used. The paint industry has therefore made great efforts to reduce the proportion of solvents and achieve a proportionate improvement by increasing the solid matter content of the materials.

International legislation was required to implement potential reduction processes in the paint processing industrial sector.

On 30.11.1999 the first draft concept was submitted to the paint associations. Obligations were laid down to work to the best technology available. The time scale of the EU Directive was laid down as a stepped schedule starting in 2004 and initially defined until 2007. The European VOC legislation is based on national VOC legislation.

This naturally has a direct effect on paint shops (painting of private cars). The following values apply to existing installations after the date given. Compliance of materials with a solid matter content (FK) on average:

With the products brought together in the service supply range and the adaptation of installations, reductions of up to 80% can be achieved.

Suggestions for modifications to paint shops: install closed spray cleaning plant. Use HVLP guns or application equipment with a similarly high degree of effectiveness. Separate application and cleaning systems for water-based paints or paints containing solvents. Uncured waste paint must be disposed of separately.

Note:   Using water-based coatings is an appropriate method of reducing solvent emissions and thus meeting environmental specifications. Our paint partner will advise you on the jobs you need to do to convert to using water-based coatings.