DENR urges paint manufacturers to follow Boysen, Davies’ lead-free paint production

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging other paint manufacturers in the country to follow the examples of Boysen and Davies which recently obtained their Lead Safe Paint mark under a newly launched global certification program.

Boysen and Davies – among the country’s top paint makers and exporters – are the first two companies in the world to apply and obtain the Lead Safe Paint mark from the California-based SCS Global Services. Their paint products were certified to have no added lead, a toxic substance associated with irreparable brain and central nervous system damage.

Director Gilbert Gonzales of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that at the very least, other paint manufacturers should comply with the prescribed limit of lead in paint products, particularly for architectural, decorative and household use by the end of 2016.

“May Boysen and Davies influence and encourage our paint industry to shift to lead-free production. These two companies serve as models and we welcome efforts by the industry to make and shift and follow their examples,” Gonzales said.

In behalf of the DENR, Gonzales congratulated Boysen and Davies for securing the privilege to display the Lead Safe Paint mark on the cans of their certified paint brands.

Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines Inc. acquired Lead Safe Paint certificates for its Boysen, Nation, Titan and Virtuoso brands (a total of 430 paint products), while Davies Paints Philippines Inc. obtained certification for its Davies brand (a total of 379 paint products).

Gonzales expressed hope the initiatives of the two paint makers would “increase the customers’ confidence, expand business transactions, allow uniform labeling, and most of all protect our children.”

In 2013, the DENR issued a chemical control order (CCO) for lead to limit, regulate, restrict and even prohibit its importation, distribution, use, manufacture and disposal.

DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-24 establishes 90 parts per million as threshold limit for lead in paint used in pigment, drying agent or for some intentional use.

It also sets a three-year phase-out period from 2013-2016 for lead-containing architectural, decorative and household paints, and six-year phase-out period from 2013-2019 for lead-containing industrial paints.

“As a toxic substance, the lead regulation covers not only the manufacturing process, but starts at the importation and distribution of this chemical and even up to treatment, storage and disposal of lead-containing wastes,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the CCO also prohibits the use of lead in the production of packaging for food and drink, fuel additives, water pipes, toys, school supplies and cosmetics and non-compliance to the law is subject to sanctions and penalties under Republic Act No. 6969, or the Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. (DENR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)