PaintCare Program Update

ACA and PaintCare continue to pursue a nationally coordinated approach to the management of postconsumer paint. Since ACA supported legislation leading to the first PaintCare program in Oregon in 2009, similar laws have passed in California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Most recently, paint stewardship legislation was signed by the governor of Illinois in July 2023 and PaintCare is currently developing a program for that state. Paint stewardship legislation also recently passed the Maryland legislature in April 2024 and is expected to be sent to that state’s governor for signature within a few weeks. There are about 200 manufacturers currently registered as participants across the 11 active programs and more than 2,400 paint drop-off sites have been set up for the public. The programs have collected over 70 million gallons of postconsumer paint for recycling. Read More…

International

World Coatings Council Update

The World Coatings Council provides a forum for information exchange and cooperation on the major issues and priorities facing the paint and coatings industries worldwide. The council acts as a focal point for monitoring and communicating specified international issues; develops recommendations and analyses on selected issues of common interest to the participating organizations and attempts to derive a common position (in conjunction with the governing bodies of the respective participants); coordinates industry positions and communicates with other international organizations; and serves as a forum for open dialogue and exchange between the participating organizations on issues of common interest. Read More…

environment

EPA’s PM 2.5 NAAQS

On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to lower the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine/inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5). These standards will take effect 60 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register. EPA’s final rule lowers the primary annual NAAQS PM2.5 emission standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 9 µg/m. The changes have potentially sweeping implications. The new standards could result in many areas of the country being designated as nonattainment, triggering significant new costs and control requirements for facilities with air permits located in those new nonattainment areas. Read More…

Government

Government Affairs Program Report: Federal Affairs

ACA's Government Affairs Program covers both federal and state issues, utilizing the State Affairs Network as well as our state lobbyists, our federal lobbyists and CoatingsVoice, our grassroots advocacy management system, and PaintPAC, ACA's Political Action Committee. ACA's extensive network of government affairs professionals in key states is vital to our ability to respond effectively to regulatory and legislative initiatives that impact the coatings industry. Read More…

International

Responsible Mica Initiative

The RMI (Responsible Mica Initiative) is an industry-run NGO that addresses child labor in mica production, a raw material used in manufacture of effects pigments and dyes, utilized across several industry sectors. The World Coatings Council has represented the global paint industry in this initiative since 2017. As of April 2024, RMI is expanding its programs into Madagascar and promoting supply chain tracing and disclosure requirements for RMI members. Read More…