Master Painters Institute Launches Green Standard

MPI classifies paints into a wide range of categories and publishes performance standards for each. Manufacturers can choose to have their products reviewed or tested by MPI, and approved products can be listed on MPI’s website and in its print directory. Most MPI categories have “detailed performance standards” that require the testing of product samples, but some categories have “intended use standards” that rely on a review of manufacturer literature or “evaluated standards” that require only limited testing. Screening fees range from $25 for the intended use standards up to $2,000 per sample for measuring conformance to the most demanding detailed performance standards. To have a product listed in MPI’s directory, a company pays an additional $984 per year.

MPI’s new Green Performance Standard is relatively simple. It contains a list of banned ingredients and sets a maximum allowable level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for each category. With very few exceptions, the VOC thresholds match the strictest of the guidelines in widespread use, including those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, the California Air Resources Board, the Ozone Transport Commission, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Green Seal, and LEED®. To conform to the standard, a paint must both meet MPI’s performance standard for its category and conform with the green requirements. MPI doesn’t test for VOC levels or banned ingredients but relies on manufacturer data for its green certification.