Adopting a more circular approach to paints and varnishes

The EU Ecolabel criteria for Indoor and Outdoor Paints and Varnishes set requirements for proper use and disposal of paints and varnishes. This is in line with the EU Waste Framework Directive, which prioritises waste reduction at its source, followed by recycling, recovery and disposal.

To avoid overuse and improper use of paints and varnishes, EU Ecolabel paints must display high levels of water resistance, strong adhesive properties, and a high spreading rate. This ensures the durability of the product and reduces the amount of paint needed. However, these properties must also be accompanied by strong consumer awareness on sustainable good practices to make sure the environmental impact of products is curtailed.

Due to differences in can sizes and paint composition, it is often challenging for consumers and businesses to estimate the amount required for a painting job. A lack of instructions on estimating the amount of paint needed ultimately leads to paint being wasted. Specific guidelines must be given to consumers on how to properly dispose of the product, manage its waste and consequentially limit water and soil pollution. To achieve this, EU Ecolabel paints and varnishes are required to display messages on their packaging advising on the re-use of paints to minimise waste, as well as methods to calculate the right amount needed to paint a given surface.

By combining criteria for a durable product with sound advice on green consumer behaviors, the EU Ecolabel guarantees higher quality products, with a lesser environmental cost.

Sources:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014D0312
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1551871195772&uri=CELEX:52019DC0190
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/criteria_for_paints_varnishes_and_road_marking.pdf