DENR-EMB LAUDS PACIFIC PAINT (BOYSEN) AND DAVIES PAINTS FOR LEAD-SAFE PAINTS,
URGES PAINT MANUFACTURING COMPANIES TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau
(DENR-EMB) lauds Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. and Davies Paints Philippines, Inc. for
securing the Lead-Safe Paint mark on their certified paint brands, and urged paint manufacturing
companies to comply with the prescribed limit of lead in paint products particularly for
architectural, decorative, and household use until the end of this year.
In a joint press conference organized by Ecowaste Coalition, IPEN and Philippine Association of
Paint Manufacturers (PAPM), DENR-EMB Director Gilbert C. Gonzales congratulated them for
being the first two companies in the world and in the Philippines to acquire Lead-Safe Third Party
Certification. May they influence and encourage our paint industry to shift to lead-free
production. These two companies serve as models and we welcome efforts by the industry to
make the shift and follow their examples,” Dir. Gonzales said.
SCS Global Services of California, USA, conducted the Third-Party Assessment and confirmed the
completion of Boysen (430 paint products) and Davies (379 paint products) Lead Safe Paint
Certification. These great initiatives and efforts of the two companies may increase the
customers’ confidence, expand business transactions/clients, allow uniform labeling but most of
all, protect our children.
In 2013, DENR issued Administrative Order (DAO) 2013-24 also known as the Chemical Control
Order (CCO) for Lead and Lead Compounds. This CCO establishes 90 parts per million as
threshold limit for lead in paint used as pigment, drying agent or for some intentional use. It sets
a three-year phase-out period from 2013-2016 for lead-containing architectural, decorative and
household paints, and six-year phase-out period from 2013-2019 for lead-containing industrial
paints.
“As a toxic substance, the lead regulation covers not only the manufacturing process, but starts
at the importation and distribution of this chemical and even up to treatment, storage and
disposal of lead-containing wastes,” Dir. Gonzales said. He further adds that the CCO also
prohibits the use of lead in the production of packaging for food and drink, fuel additives, water
pipes, toys, school supplies and cosmetics and non-compliance to the law is subject to sanctions
and penalties under Section 41 of DAO 92-29 (Republic Act 6969).
Before ending his message to the press conference, Dir. Gonzales commended the Ecowaste
Coalition, IPEN and PAPM for sustaining their active partnership and support to EMB in providing
significant issues and concerns and in chairing the Technical Committee 25 for preparing the
Philippine National Standards for paints and varnishes, respectively, in order to ensure public
health and environmental protection. ###