The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) has officially adopted a resolution calling on its member states to adopt waterborne paint regulations. The model regulations place limits for volatile organic compounds (VOC) that would require collision repair facilities to convert to waterborne basecoat refinish systems by Jan. 1, 2012.
The model rule also would require the use of fully enclosed spray gun cleaning systems and unatomized cleaning, disassembly and cleaning in systems that are closed when not in use, or in systems that are designated to capture solvent emissions. The proposed regulations also would require paint supply companies to keep track of what regulated paints are sold and to whom they are sold. Body shops would also have to keep records of used and purchased regulated paints.
Next, OTC member states will consider adopting the model rules. While amendments are possible, OTC encourages states to adopt the major provisions of the model without substantial changes.
The OTC is a multi-state organization created under the Clean Air Act that is responsible for advising the EPA on transport issues and for developing and implementing regional solutions to the ground-level ozone problem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
OTC member states include: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
More information:
• View the model rule
• DuPont Performance Coatings Offering EPA 6H Rule Training
• VIDEO: A Waterborne Journey with Mike Anderson
• Mark Clark’s 3-part series on converting to waterborne paint
