Why paints and coatings EPDs vary by application
Paints and coatings are organized by how and where they're applied, not by a single "paint" category — architectural coatings (interior/exterior paint), metal coil and extrusion coatings, resinous floor coatings, and powder coatings each involve different application methods, cure processes, and formulation chemistry, and each has its own PCR as a result. A product-specific EPD reflects the actual formulation and application method, not a generic coatings average.
Key materials typically covered
"Paints & Coatings" EPDs span several distinct application types, generally declared separately:
- Architectural coatings — interior and exterior paint for buildings
- Metal coil and extrusion coatings — applied to metal substrates during manufacturing, not on-site
- Resinous floor coatings — a distinct product category from wall or exterior paint
- Powder coatings — a different application method (electrostatic, cured) from liquid coatings
Key standards and PCRs
NSF International, working with the American Coatings Association's Product Category Work Group, developed the PCR for Architectural Coatings, the PCR for Metal Coil and Extrusion Coatings, and the PCR for Resinous Floor Coatings. Sustainable Minds LLC separately facilitates the PCR for Powder Coatings. See Product Category Rules for how to confirm the current, applicable PCR for a specific coating type.
Top EPD program operators for Paints & Coatings
A small set of program operators covers most coatings-sector EPDs:
- NSF International — developed the architectural, metal coil/extrusion, and resinous floor coating PCRs jointly with the American Coatings Association
- Sustainable Minds LLC — facilitates the separate PCR for powder coatings
- UL Solutions — also certifies to existing coatings PCRs
Notable producers of Paints & Coatings
Major global coatings manufacturers — including companies like Jotun — have published product-specific EPDs across architectural, floor, and specialty coating lines. Coverage varies significantly by manufacturer and product type; check a specific manufacturer's own published EPDs rather than assuming coverage.
Sample EPDs for Paints & Coatings
To see what an actual coatings EPD looks like, EPD-Global's public registry publishes full documents — for example, Jotun Paints (Malaysia)'s EPD for Jotashield Ultra Clean, searchable by NEPD number. In North America, NSF International and the American Coatings Association list published architectural-coatings EPDs directly.
How to Get a Paints & Coatings EPD: Step-by-Step
Getting an EPD for a paint or coating product follows the same core process as any other construction product: choosing the applicable NSF/ACA-developed PCR for that application type, collecting primary production data, building the LCA, and having it independently verified before publication. See How to Get an EPD: Step-by-Step for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Is interior paint covered by the same PCR as exterior paint?
Generally yes — the PCR for Architectural Coatings covers both interior and exterior applications within a single framework, though individual EPDs are still published per specific formulation rather than one figure covering an entire product line.
What's different about powder coatings?
Powder coatings are applied and cured differently from liquid architectural coatings — no solvent, electrostatic application, oven curing — and are covered by a separate PCR facilitated by Sustainable Minds rather than NSF's architectural coatings PCR.
Who developed the architectural coatings PCR?
NSF International, working jointly with the American Coatings Association's Product Category Work Group, which represents the industry's manufacturers in the PCR's development.
Does VOC content show up in a coatings EPD?
VOC content is typically regulated and disclosed separately — through safety data sheets or regional air-quality rules — rather than being the primary metric in an EPD, which instead focuses on the coating's full life-cycle global warming potential and related impacts.
Are metal coil coatings covered by the same PCR as architectural paint?
No — metal coil and extrusion coatings have their own dedicated PCR, reflecting a manufacturing process (coil coating a metal substrate) that's fundamentally different from applying architectural paint to a finished surface.
Where can I see an example of a real coatings EPD?
Public EPD registries such as EPD-Global publish full coatings EPD documents — see Sample EPDs below. NSF International and the American Coatings Association also list published architectural-coatings EPDs directly.
Sources
- NSF International and American Coatings Association, Product Category Rule for Architectural Coatings
- NSF International and American Coatings Association, Product Category Rule for Resinous Floor Coatings
- Sustainable Minds LLC, Product Category Rule for Powder Coatings