Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Report on the implementation and review of Directive 2004/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC

Directive 2004/42/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC ("the Paints Directive") was adopted on 21 April 2004.

The purpose of the Paints Directive is to limit emissions of volatile organic compounds ("VOC") due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes, as well as in vehicle refinishing products in order to prevent or reduce air pollution resulting from the contribution of VOC to the formation of ground-level ozone. It aims to complement measures to be taken at national level in order to ensure compliance with the VOC emission ceilings as set out in Directive 2001/81/EC on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants ("the NEC Directive").

The products covered by the Paints Directive are paints and varnishes applied to buildings, their trim and fittings and associated structures for decorative, functional and protective reasons as well as products for vehicle refinishing.

EUR-Lex: COM(2011)297: Follow the progress of this document through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2011:297:FIN

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