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To fight against indoor pollution, paints have been classified according to their emissions of chemical substances into the air, since 2013. If originally, the UFC-Que Choisir had welcomed the implementation of this regulation, it now reconsiders his remarks.
To combat indoor air pollution, regulations introduced in 2013 make it possible to classify paints according to their emissions of chemical substances. The least polluting are classified A+ and the most emitting C.
Too “lax” regulations for the UFC Que Choisir
Since this set up, UFC Que Choisir has twice analyzed the paints during tests, in 2016 and this time, in 2023.”At the time, Que Choisir welcomed the initiative, but the regulations governing it are actually far too lax. We had already denounced it during a previous paint test in 2016, but the situation has not improved since.” regrets the consumer association. Indeed, it has just published the results of a test carried out on white paints.
Paints classified A+ particularly toxic
The analyzes show that “some selected paints are non-polluting, others which also carry class A+ are very emissive in chemical substances and strongly contaminate the air inside the repainted room”.
In its press release, the association adds:We noted up to 5,400 micrograms of volatile organic compounds (VOC) per cubic meter of air 3 days after the work, and another 1,900 µg/m3 of VOC air after 28 days. It is absolutely outrageous that such polluting paints carry class A+. The same goes for the one that still releases 1,700 µg/m3 of air of semi-volatile organic compounds, but these pollutants do not even exist with regard to the current regulations on paint emissions!”.
A deception for consumers
The Consumers’ Union therefore denounces this regulation, which is “misleading” for consumers. “This class of emissions turns out to be very misleading for consumers, who may just as well come across a non-polluting reference as one that will greatly, even permanently, degrade the quality of their indoor air. This is the second alert launched by Que Choisir, it is time for the public authorities to reinforce their requirements” she adds.
“Parents surely think they are doing the right thing by buying an A+ paint for the newborn’s room, while with some they pollute it” she concludes.
Slide: Indoor air pollution: how to breathe better at home