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Environment and greener living
Labels for paint, textiles and other products
As well as the more general ecolabels, there are green labels which apply only to specific types of products, for example paint or textiles. Here are two examples of labels you might come across.
Paint: VOC Labels
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in most paints, varnishes and associated products. VOCs cause air pollution and may be harmful to human health, animals and plants.
Legal limits for the amount of VOCs in paints and associated products have been introduced. Most paint and varnish products for use around the home must now carry a label which states this legal limit, and the VOC content of the product. An example of the label is illustrated here. It gives the EU regulatory limit in grams per litre (g/l) - both from 2007 and the new lower limit that will come into force in 2010. It is then followed by the product's VOC content.
Some manufacturers still use other logos relating to VOC content that they have developed themselves, but the mandatory label giving VOC content must always be shown.
Textiles: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is an international certification system for textiles and clothing, covering all stages of production. Labelled products are tested by independent institutes for an extensive range of harmful substances based on the latest scientific findings and legal regulations. All parts of labelled articles must meet the defined requirements.
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