Choosing paint: what does a label tell you?
Choosing paint: what does a label tell you?
Sounds nice, but what does it mean?
You want a beautiful colour and to know what you are buying. Look beyond words such as green or sustainable. Which products are certified? What exactly was tested? Does the paint suit your project? These questions make your choice concrete.
Start with the product.
Paint contains different ingredients, each with its own function. The origin of one ingredient does not tell you everything about the paint. Consider the complete formulation, intended use and available product certification.
A percentage of biobased carbon is different from a percentage of total paint weight. The former concerns the origin of the carbon tested. A useful comparison requires the method, denominator, tested product and date.
Carbon in an ingredient is not the same as a calculated climate saving. Such a calculation must consider production, use, service life and end of life. Carbon content alone is therefore no basis for promising a fixed CO₂ saving per tin.
Paint contains different ingredients, each with its own function. The origin of one ingredient does not tell you everything about the paint. Consider the complete formulation, intended use and available product certification.
A percentage of biobased carbon is different from a percentage of total paint weight. The former concerns the origin of the carbon tested. A useful comparison requires the method, denominator, tested product and date.
Carbon in an ingredient is not the same as a calculated climate saving. Such a calculation must consider production, use, service life and end of life. Carbon content alone is therefore no basis for promising a fixed CO₂ saving per tin.
What can you check yourself?
Check certificate NL/044/005 and the six named paint products.
Find the certificate and product names on our certificates page.
And what about volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
Water is the main thinner in water-based paint. The exact properties vary by product, so choose according to your surface, desired finish and the product information. Water-based paint still requires ventilation and careful attention to the instructions.
The available A+ declarations concern indoor-air emissions from tested samples. That is different from the VOC content in the tin. Our certificates page identifies the samples, test dates and limits of that information.
Ventilate during and after painting as directed on the label and technical data sheet. Keep children out of the work area. Drying and curing times vary by product and conditions.
Water is the main thinner in water-based paint. The exact properties vary by product, so choose according to your surface, desired finish and the product information. Water-based paint still requires ventilation and careful attention to the instructions.
The available A+ declarations concern indoor-air emissions from tested samples. That is different from the VOC content in the tin. Our certificates page identifies the samples, test dates and limits of that information.
Ventilate during and after painting as directed on the label and technical data sheet. Keep children out of the work area. Drying and curing times vary by product and conditions.
The right paint for your project.
A beautiful colour is the starting point. Also choose a product suited to the surface and its use. An EN 71-3 test concerns the migration of specified elements under test conditions; it does not automatically make every painted toy suitable or safe. For a specific use on toys or children’s furniture, ask us for product advice and the relevant report.
A beautiful colour is the starting point. Also choose a product suited to the surface and its use. An EN 71-3 test concerns the migration of specified elements under test conditions; it does not automatically make every painted toy suitable or safe. For a specific use on toys or children’s furniture, ask us for product advice and the relevant report.
EU Ecolabel for six paint products.
Six fairf paints are listed on EU Ecolabel certificate NL/044/005: extra-matt and extra-covering wall paint, matt, satin and high-gloss paint, and multi-primer. The label sets environmental and performance criteria for paint. Visit our certificates page for the document, product scope and available emissions tests.
We believe there is always room for improvement
fairf is made by Baril Group in the Netherlands. The company behind fairf is a Certified B Corporation. For our paints, we show which certificates and tests are available for each product. Get to know the makers behind your colour and explore the product evidence yourself.
Ready to choose your colour? Start with a sample in your own light, then explore the paint and finish for your project. Product information helps you make the final choice. Questions about paint, materials and evidence.
Six fairf paints are listed on EU Ecolabel certificate NL/044/005: extra-matt and extra-covering wall paint, matt, satin and high-gloss paint, and multi-primer. The label sets environmental and performance criteria for paint. Visit our certificates page for the document, product scope and available emissions tests.
We believe there is always room for improvement
fairf is made by Baril Group in the Netherlands. The company behind fairf is a Certified B Corporation. For our paints, we show which certificates and tests are available for each product. Get to know the makers behind your colour and explore the product evidence yourself.
Ready to choose your colour? Start with a sample in your own light, then explore the paint and finish for your project. Product information helps you make the final choice. Questions about paint, materials and evidence.