Vehicle refinishers urge tighter controls on VOC emissions

Concern is growing that most emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the vehicle respraying industry will escape control under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. By requiring emission reductions only from larger body shops, the new rules have provided limited incentive for paint producers to develop low-solvent coatings, and provoked fears in the industry that business will shift to small companies outside the scope of the controls.