Rules and Regulations
There are regulations in the U.S. and other countries that are designed to limit exposures to specific heavy metals due to environmental, health and/or safety concerns. Managers of coatings operations have the responsibility to be familiar with these regulations and assess how they may affect their employees and their business. Before using a coatings product, the entire product label and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) should be reviewed. It is essential that facilities understand what they are working with and how to safely handle products.
heavy metals regulation in industry
The link below is a general guide to some of the rules & regulations that impact the use of certain Heavy Metals contained in Refinish coatings products. This document is not intended to be all inclusive.
area source rule summary
The Federal EPA recently enacted an Area Source Rule that impacts coatings facilities that spray apply coatings on metal & plastic substrates. This rule was designed to cover smaller facilities not targeted by the major source NESHAPS, already in place. Refinish facilities in particular are regulated under this new federal rule, known formally as 40 CFR Part 63, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources, Subpart HHHHHH. This document is a brief summary, not intended to be all inclusive.
area source rule text
The text of the final rule, 40 CFR Part 63, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources, Subpart HHHHHH, as promulgated by U.S. EPA on January 9, 2008. It is the responsibility of the facility owner/operator to understand the specific requirements of the rule, including any amendments to the rule that may have been proposed and/or promulgated after January 9, 2008. PPG makes this document available for convenience only and makes no representation or warranty that it is current and/or has not been amended or modified by U.S. EPA since January 9, 2008.
state environmental agency and small business assistance
The United States EPA has funded the development of an informational home page for Small Businesses and state Environmental regulations. Here, you will find links to each state's regulatory departments and committees where you can learn more about regulations in your area.
Visit the Small Business Environmental Home Page website
area source rule exemption application
Under 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHHHHH, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coatings Operations at Area Sources, an application for an exemption from the requirements of the rule is possible for U.S. facilities using selected coatings products that do not contain the listed heavy metal HAPs. This document assures PPG customers that an application for an exemption can be filed if using selected PPG Refinish products, particularly if waterborne basecoat is used, also if listed solvent borne basecoats and single stage systems are chosen. Numerous clear coats and primers allowed under an exemption are also listed.
area source rule exemption qualifying product lists
Several PPG Refinish product lines may be used within an exemption from 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHHHHH, National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coatings Operations at Area Sources. The reference documents supplied list products that may be used—and also the few products to be avoided—from each product line, if a customer wishes to maintain an exemption from the NESHAP.