The AIM VOC Committee identifies, tracks and disseminates information on federal, state and local volatile organic compound (VOC) regulatory initiatives for architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings. The workgroup also establishes industry positions and comments on these regulatory initiatives.
The objective of the Architectural Coatings Council is to provide guidance, direction and initiative for ACA activities in order to maximize the position of the architectural coatings portion of the paint industry. This objective will be implemented through development of policy regarding legislative and regulatory initiatives likely to have an impact on the industry and its products. Achievement of the policy will be further enhanced through the establishment of communications with organizations outside the industry, and distribution of information to aid in decisions that may maintain and expand markets for the industry’s products.
The Automotive Refinish Committee monitors regulations and submits comments on rules affecting auto refinish operations across the country. While disparate programs regulate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from refinish coatings at the federal, state, and local air district levels, the committee works to secure more uniform and reasonable standards.
The Chemical Security Committee addresses critical homeland security issues — with a particular focus on chemical facility security — and disseminates important information to member company employees charged with compliance with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), as well as those engaged in voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and certification programs, such as PS-Prep.
The Consumer Products Committee’s goal is to maintain a reasonable regulatory framework for consumer coating products in the United States and elsewhere. The committee and staff collaborate with related trade groups, government, consumer groups, and the public, to develop greater mutual understanding of industry products. The committee oversees two subcommittees: the Aerosol Coatings and Caulks, Sealants and Adhesives Subcommittees.
The Environmental Management Committee provides guidance to the paint and coatings industry on all issues relating to environmental quality. It serves as a communication link between the industry and federal and state agencies to ensure that regulatory development efforts are technically sound and economically feasible. The committee reviews new air quality, water quality and waste management regulatory proposals, develops technically sound industry comments, and provides the necessary guidance to ensure that the industry understands its compliance responsibilities.
The Industrial Coatings Council is an active force for the continuous upgrading of the policies, practices and product stewardship of the manufacturers of industrial finishes. It serves as a clearinghouse of pertinent information concerning the manufacture and sale of industrial finishes, including macro-economic and sales analysis, and tracking specific U.S. and international regulatory schemes, so that member companies are better qualified to operate efficiently, progressively and compliantly. This is primarily focused through the committee’s Industrial Coatings Air Regulatory Subcommittee.
The Industry Suppliers Committee maintains a forum for discussion of issues that affect the paint and coatings industry from the perspective of supplier and distributor members. The committee seeks to understand the impact of changes in the direction of the coatings industry and coatings end-users, by obtaining insight into U.S. politics and the economy from leading experts.
The Legal and Government Affairs Committee provides guidance on relevant legal issues and litigation affecting the industry at large and ACA specifically; advises the association on key legislative and regulatory issues affecting the coatings industry; offers input on the PaintPAC Action Plan; oversees the ACA Amicus Program; and acts as a network to share information for members to stay current on leading legal and policy issues.
The Marine Coatings Council identifies and deals with problems specific to marine and offshore coatings manufacturers, and maintains communication with all segments of the marine industry, including shipbuilders, ship operators, naval architects and government agencies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), U.S. EPA, and state and local agencies have undertaken a number of regulatory initiatives under clean air and clean water programs or have set performance standards for anticorrosive marine coatings. As such, the council works closely with IPPIC’s Antifouling Coatings Committee and Marine Coatings Technical Committee since IPPIC has consultative status as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the IMO.
The Occupational Safety and Health Committee is responsible for recommending ACA policy on matters relating to safety and health within members’ facilities and provides members with guidance that will enable them to effectively manage their safety and health programs. It also directs ACA’s positions on germane issues in the United States and in international forums such as the United Nations’ Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS).
The Powder Coating Committee guides the association to advance the industry’s powder coating sector. As such, committee activities include, but are not limited to: (1) monitoring, and responding to pertinent legislation and regulations, and sharing such information with ACA members; (2) conducting conferences and symposiums on technology and innovation relevant to powder coating; (3) producing business intelligence and relevant market studies and statistics on powder coating; and (4) pursuing initiatives consistent with sustainability and product stewardship.
The Product Stewardship Committee provides integrated guidance to association members on all matters that impact the safe use of our industry’s products. While primarily centered around the regulatory structures associated with product safety — hazard communication, toxic substances, engineering for exposure control and personal protective equipment selection — the issues considered by the committee also interpret industry trade practice. Although precautionary labeling is a primary product safety concern, the committee deals with a broad range of risk reduction measures through product design and formulation considerations, as well as end-user interactions.
The members of ACA’s Science & Technology Committee direct the outreach and programming for research and development and innovation-management professionals. The committee supports ACA technical publications, scientific education and professional development programs. The committee spearheads efforts to enhance relationships with academic institutions supporting the education of new coatings technology professionals. Most importantly, the committee continually explores new services that can provide value to the technical community.
The SME Committee identifies and addresses issues of interest to small and mid-size paint manufacturers. The committee directs ACA on ways in which the association can best serve this segment of the industry.
The Society Liaison Committee (SLC) serves as a link between ACA and regional societies for coatings technology and local coatings associations. The SLC serves as a forum for discussion, information sharing, and coordination among the regional societies and local associations. The SLC, in conjunction with ACA staff and the societies’ leadership, works to develop an effective grassroots network on technical, educational, and policy matters.
The Sustainability Committee develops guiding principles for the coatings industry to address today’s sustainability issues and challenges, both domestically and internationally. The committee responds to green building standards and codes that contain environmental, health, indoor air quality, and chemical requirements for building materials that affect the architectural coatings, adhesives, and sealants market.
The Transport Committee directs ACA policy in matters regarding the safe, secure, and economic movement of members’ products and the raw materials used in them. It also directs ACA’s positions in matters of proposed legislation and regulatory compliance in the United States and in international forums such as the United Nations’ Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG).