Low-VOC Paint Explained
Straight answers on VOCs, without the greenwash.
VOCs, volatile organic compounds, are substances that evaporate into the air as paint is applied and dries. UK law caps how much a paint can contain; for interior matt walls and ceilings the limit is 30 g/L. Every Cameron Colours paint is Ultra-low VOC, with a maximum of 15 g/L: half that limit. Here is what that does, and does not, mean.
At a glance
- VOC content is measured in grams per litre (g/L) of ready-to-use paint.
- The UK limit for interior matt wall and ceiling paint is 30 g/L.
- Our paints contain a maximum of 15 g/L: half that limit.
- Low VOC is not the same as zero VOC, non-toxic or breathable.
- Always ventilate while you paint and while the paint dries.
What are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds are organic substances that readily evaporate at room temperature. In paint, they come mostly from solvents and some additives. Under UK paint regulations a VOC is an organic compound with an initial boiling point of 250°C or less at standard pressure, and VOC content is measured in grams per litre of ready-to-use product. Content is not the same as what is emitted into a room, but lower content is the standard way to compare.
UK legal limits for paint
The Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2012 set maximum VOC content for each product category. A few that matter at home, for water-based products: interior matt walls and ceilings 30 g/L; interior glossy walls and ceilings 100 g/L; interior and exterior trim and cladding paints for wood and metal 130 g/L; primers 30 g/L. Tins must state the category, its limit and the product’s maximum VOC content.
Every one of our paints, from Wall & Ceiling to Trim & Woodwork and Radiator Paint, has a maximum of 15 g/L, below even the strictest of those limits.
What do "low VOC" labels mean?
Labels like "low", "minimal" and "trace" come from the voluntary British Coatings Federation VOC Globe scheme, which bands products by VOC percentage. "Low" is a broad band, not a health certificate. That is why we would rather tell you the number: a maximum of 15 g/L.
What low VOC does not mean
Low VOC is not zero VOC: trace VOCs can still be present, and the British Coatings Federation advises against "zero VOC" and "VOC-free" claims. It does not make a paint "non-toxic" or "chemical-free": VOC content alone says nothing about every other hazard. And it does not make a paint "breathable", which is a separate property, water-vapour permeability, that needs its own test evidence. We won’t use those words unless we can prove them.
Ventilate while you paint
NICE advises following the product instructions and increasing ventilation when using paints: open windows where it is safe, or use extraction, and keep ventilating while the paint dries. People with asthma or other breathing conditions, pregnant women and young children can be more affected by poor indoor air, so take extra care.
Sample it the way we would
Step 1
Paint your peel-and-sticks
Each £5.99 sample comes with three paintable peel-and-sticks. Give them two coats and let them dry fully.
Step 2
Stick them around the room
Put them on two or three walls, including the wall opposite the window, at eye level and lower down.
Step 3
Live with them for a day or two
Look in the morning, the afternoon and under your evening lamps. Move them around until you are sure.
Your questions, answered
What does low-VOC paint mean?
Paint with relatively little volatile organic compound content. Look for the actual g/L figure on the tin, not just the word "low". Ours is a maximum of 15 g/L.
Is low VOC the same as zero VOC?
No. Trace VOCs can still be present, which is why industry guidance advises against "zero VOC" and "VOC-free" claims.
What is the VOC limit for interior wall paint in the UK?
For interior matt walls and ceilings, 30 g/L of ready-to-use paint. Our paints are a maximum of 15 g/L.
Do I still need to ventilate with low-VOC paint?
Yes. Follow the product instructions and keep the room ventilated while you paint and while the paint dries.
Is low-VOC paint non-toxic or breathable?
Not automatically. Toxicity and breathability are separate properties that need their own evidence, so be wary of any paint that claims them without it.