Georgia Regulates VOC in Certain Paints and Varnishes

SafeGuardSAutomotive, HardgoodsJune 30, 2024

SG 103/24

Georgia has issued a technical regulation on volatile organic compounds (VOC) in certain paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products. This technical regulation will become effective on July 1, 2025.

In April 2024, the government of Georgia issued Resolution No. 127 of April 3, 2024, approving the nation’s technical regulation on VOC content in certain paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products (Resolution No. 127/2024).

This technical regulation is modeled on European Directive 2004/42/CE in relation to the limitation of VOC emissions due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products, amending Directive 1999/13/EC (Paints Directive).

Highlights of Resolution No. 127/2024 are summarized in Table 1.

Section to Resolution No. 127/2024	Highlights
Article 1 Scope and purpose of technical regulation’	Establishes requirements for certain paints and varnishes (Annex I) Restricts total content of VOC for vehicle refinishing products (Annex 2B)
Article 2 ‘Definitions of terms’	Provides several terms and their definitions, including but not limited to: VOC – any organic compound having an initial boiling point less than or equal to 250 °C when measured at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa VOC content – the mass of VOC, in grams/liter (g/l), in the formulation of the product in its ready to use condition. The mass of VOC in a given product which react chemically during drying to form part of the coating is not considered part of the VOC content Water-based coatings - coatings the viscosity of which is adjusted by water Solvent-based coatings – coating the viscosity of which is adjusted by organic solvent
Article 3 ‘Requirements regarding VOC content in products’	Prohibits the import of products specified in Annex No. 1 if their VOC content exceeds the limits under Annex No. 2 of the technical regulation Bans the placing of products in Annex No. 1 if their VOC content exceeds the limits under Annex 2 of the technical regulation or if they do not comply with the labeling requirements in Article 4 Specifies methods in Annex No. 3 for determining VOC content (see table 2 below) Exempts products for the restoration, maintenance and upkeep of buildings and vintage vehicles with historical and cultural value, subject to written consent from the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture
Article 4 ‘Labeling requirements for products’	Products in Annex No. 1 must carry a label in the Georgian language when they are placed on the market. The label must indicate: The subcategory of product in Annex Nos. 1 and 2 and the relevant VOC limit values in g/l in accordance with Annex No. 2 The maximum content of VOC in g/l of the product in a ready to use condition
Articles 5 to 7	Obligations for manufacturers, importers and distributors
Annex No. 1 ‘Scope’	Details terms and their definitions Specifies HS codes 3208, 3209 and 3210 00 for paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products
Annex No. 2	Consists of two parts for two product subcategories: Part A ‘Maximum VOC content limits for paints and varnishes’ Part B ‘Maximum VOC content limits for vehicle refinishing products’
Annex No. 3 ‘Methods of analysis for determining compliance with the maximum standards for volatile organic compounds in paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing product’	Methods referred to in Article 3.3 (see Table 2 below)

Table 1

Parameter	Unit	Test Method	Date of publication
VOC content when it is less than 15% of the mass of the product and no reactive diluent is present	g/l	ISO 11890-2	2020
VOC content when it is more than 15% of the mass of the product and no reactive diluent is present	g/l	ISO 11890-1 ISO 11890-2	2007 2020
VOC content where a reactive diluent is present	g/l	ASTM D2369	2020

Table 2

Technical Regulation No. 127/2024 will become effective on July 1, 2025.

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