The difficulties and resulting  absurdities of legislation can be gauged in this area by
recalling that on sunny days pine forests in sheltered valleys easily exceed proposed/actual
limits for VOCs.

Mike


----- Original Message -----
From: Graham Naisbitt <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 3:47 PM
Subject: [TN] VOC legislation


Hi Techies,

Picking-up on a Technet string which talks about VOCs, I thought it appropriate to post the
following for consideration.

When talking VOCs, it is really important to respect the way in which rules are interpreted in
our respective countries. In the USA you have a list of solvents that enjoy "exempt" status from
VOC legislation. As I understand it, this means that you can avoid paying tax if you use
"exempt" solvents.

Again, as Brian Ellis stated, unfortunately (or fortunately depending upon which side of the
tracks you are on) in Europe a VOC is any organic (carbon based) material having a vapour
pressure above 0.01kPa. It is a mandate in Europe (EC Directive) to reduce VOC emissions but we
have no policemen so it is largely ignored by all except the large multi-nationals who are
ISO14000 qualified. Frankly I seriously wonder how many there are out there who even understand
the difference including the interpretation of the directive.

I do not seek comments on the rights and wrongs of each approach, only to state the different
ways in which legislation is being imposed.

I can say with absolute certainty that VOC exempt solvents such as nButylacetate may be OK in
the USA but NOT here in Europe - it is a VOC PERIOD!
Even whisky and bourbon, vodka and gin are VOCs and I say "NO TO PROHIBITION!"

Regards,
Graham Naisbitt

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WEB: http://www.concoat.co.uk

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