Michigan has adopted Phase II of the Ozone Transport Commission Architectural and Industrial Maintenance Rule, setting new limits on VOC content in wood coatings, which includes wood floor finishes.
Wood coatings, which include waterborne, oil-modified polyurethane, moisture cured urethane finishes and penetrating oils, now have a VOC limit of 275 grams per liter. Stains have a VOC limit of 250 grams per liter. The new regulation in the state went into effect April 18, 2023, meaning coatings exceeding the newly imposed VOC limits cannot be manufactured in the state after April 18. However, coatings manufactured prior to April 18 may continue to be sold for up to three years. Coatings manufactured prior to April 18 may continue to be applied at any time, as well, according to the new rule.
“Several states already use this model rule or a similar one,” according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). “The rule has been around long enough that major manufacturers have either already reformulated or created synonymous compliant coatings for many of their product lines.”
New York State reduced its VOC limits for wood coatings to 275 grams per liter in early 2020.
The new limits were phased in faster than usual in Michigan, however, as requirements of the Clean Air Act meant the state had to implement the new rule prior to the 2023 ozone season, according to EGLE.
The state is also permitting manufacturers that produce less than 1 million gallons of coating annually from 2021–2026 to have until Jan. 1, 2027, to comply with the new regulations.
More information about the Michigan's new VOC regulations can be found here.
