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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

A substance is identified as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) according to one of two European directives:

  • Directive 1999/13/EC: the VOC definition is based on vapor pressure (below 0.01 kPa at 293.15° K)

or

  • the Decopaint directive 2004/42/EC: the definition is based on initial boiling point (above 250°C at atmospheric pressure).

ESIG addresses VOC topics with solvents users as part of a sub-group called European Solvents VOC Co-ordination Group (ESVOC).

To learn more about ESVOC, visit the website.