Section 130.603. Standards

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

(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) 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) 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.

(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) Lacquer coatings (including lacquer sanding sealers).

(2) Metallic pigmented coatings.

(3) Shellacs.

(4) Fire-retardant coatings.

(5) Pretreatment wash primers.

(6) Industrial maintenance coatings.

(7) Low-solids coatings.

(8) Wood preservatives.

(9) High-temperature coatings.

(10) Temperature-indicator safety coatings.

(11) Antenna coatings.

(12) Antifouling coatings.

(13) Flow coatings.

(14) Bituminous roof primers.

(15) Specialty primers, sealers and undercoaters.

(16) Calcimine recoaters.

(17) Impacted immersion coatings.

(18) Nuclear coatings.

(19) Thermoplastic rubber coatings and mastic.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.