VOC Regs

Last Update: 05/19/2009

CARB/OTC VOC RESTRICTIONS IN AUTOMOTIVE CARE PRODUCTS

The California Air Resource Board (CARB) has been regulating the VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) levels of many "consumer products" with the goal of improving air quality for many years. "Consumer products" is defined very broadly in these regulations and includes many commercial and institutional products (including car care products) in addition to household products.

For close to 10 years The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) has been working with many northeastern and great lakes states to develop VOC regulations. Many of these states had regulations become effective in 2005. As of January 1, 2008, nine northeastern states and one great lakes state have VOC regulations in effect. Two more northeastern states and one great lakes state have finalized regulations, which will go into effect January 1, 2009. (See Table 1 for regulation status).

Table 1
Consumer Product VOC Regulation Status by State

STATE	STATUS
Connecticut	Final regulation approved and in effect as of 1/1/09
Delaware	Effective 1/1/05
Illinois	Not yet adopted; proposed regulation would be effective 1/1/09 if approved
Indiana	Not yet adopted
Maine	Effective 5/1/05; proposal to update regulations to incorporate new categories for 1/1/09
Maryland	Effective 1/1/05; regulation update in effect as of 1/1/09
Massachusetts	Final regulation approved and in effect as of 1/1/09
Michigan	Effective 1/1/07
New Hampshire	Effective 1/1/07
New Jersey	Effective 1/1/05; proposal to update regulations to incorporate revised OTC model rule for 1/1/09
New York	Effective 1/1/05
Ohio	Final regulation approved and in effect as of 1/1/09
Virginia	Effective 1/1/05 (Northern Virginia area); Effective 1/1/08 (Fredericksburg area)
Pennsylvania	Effective 1/1/05; proposal to update regulations to incorporate revised OTC model rule for 1/1/09
Rhode Island	Not yet adopted
Vermont	Not yet adopted
Washington D.C.	Effective 1/1/05; regulation update in effect as of 1/1/09

CARB and OTC address 113 consumer products VOC levels. Trans-Mate manufactures and sells products in 14 of these categories. These 14 categories and the maximum VOC content for affected products are listed in Table 2. Please note that the percentages listed are for ready-to-use products and for the strongest "routine" label dilution for product concentrates. Many Trans-Mate Products are not included in the 113 categories.

Table 2
Maximum VOC by Product Class

PRODUCT CLASS	VOC MAX
Air Feshener - Liquid/Pump sprays	18%
Automotive: Instant Detailer	3%
Automotive: Wax/Sealant/Glare	15%
Bug and Tar remover	40%
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner (dilutable)	0.1%
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner (ready to use)	3%
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner (aerosol)	7%
Engine Degreaser	5%
Leather Care Products	15% (new 1/1/07 for CA; new 1/1/09 for OTC states)
General Purpose Cleaner	4%
Glass Cleaner	4%
Glass Cleaner (aerosol)	12%
Metal Polishes / Cleaners	30%
Rubber and Vinyl protectant	3%
Rubber and Vinyl protectant (aerosol)	10%

Trans-Mate is your source for automotive appearance care products that meet
CARB and OTC VOC standards in 2008. Almost all Trans-Mate products meet
these VOC standards. (The five products that do not meet CARB/OTC standards
are listed in Table 3). VOC-compliant alternatives to these five products are available: contact your local Trans-Mate distributor for specific recommendations.

Table 3

PRODUCTS NOT MEETING VOC STANDARDS	PRODUCT CATEGORY
TM070 Tar Off	Bug and Tar Remover
TM098 HI-Shine Dressing	Rubber and Vinyl Protectant
TM106 Ultra Detail	Rubber and Vinyl Protectant
TM119 Silicone Free Dressing	Rubber and Vinyl Protectant
TM650 Quick Slick	Wax/Polish/Seal/Glaze