Commission Decision of 28 May 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for indoor and outdoor paints and varnishes (notified under document C(2014) 3429) (Text with EEA relevance) (2014/312/EU)

Assessment and verification U.K.

(a)

Requirements

The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.

Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show compliance with the criteria, these may originate from the applicant and/or his supplier(s) and/or their supplier(s), as appropriate.

In the case of changes such as in supplier, the paint formulation or an extension of a product range that results in a change in how the paint or varnish complies with one or more criteria (as relevant) then the licenseholder shall, in advance of any change, submit information to the relevant Competent Body demonstrating the products ongoing compliance as specified in the relevant criteria.

Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if these are described in the user manual of the Ecolabel criteria application and the competent body assessing the application accepts their equivalence.

Competent bodies shall preferentially recognise tests which are accredited according to ISO 17025 and verifications performed by bodies which are accredited under the EN 45011 standard or an equivalent international standard.

Where appropriate, competent bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifications.

(b)

Measurement thresholds

Unless otherwise indicated compliance with the Ecolabel criteria is required for intentionally added substances and mixtures, as well as for by-products and impurities from raw materials, the concentration of which equals or exceeds 0,010 % by weight of final formulation.

(c)

The exact formulation of the product, including the function and the physical form of all ingredients identified within the criteria, as well as any additional functional ingredients, and their ingoing concentration shall be provided to the competent body. The chemical name, CAS number and CLP classification according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 shall be provided for each ingredient. All ingredients identified within the criteria, as well as any additional functional ingredients and known impurities, that are present at concentrations in the product of greater than 0,010 % shall be reported unless a lower concentration is required in order to comply with a derogation requirement.

Where ingredients are referred to in the criteria, this includes substances and preparations or mixtures. The definitions of ‘substances’ and ‘mixtures’ are given in Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council(1) (‘the REACH Regulation’.

Safety data sheets and/or CAS numbers and CLP classifications for each ingredient shall be submitted to the competent body in accordance with the REACH Regulation.

(d)

For all criteria, apart from Criterion 4 Volatile and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, SVOCs), the limits shall apply to the paint or varnish in its packaging. In line with Directive 2004/42/EC the VOC limits relate to the ready to use product and so the maximum VOC content shall be measured or calculated including any recommended additions such as colorants and/or thinners. For this calculation or measurement, data supplied by the raw material suppliers regarding solids content, VOC content and product density will be required. The above is also applicable in the measurement or calculation of SVOCs. Competent bodies may request testing for SVOC's in order to validate calculations.

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1).