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Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) is currently soliciting comments on the proposed controls for formaldehyde (CAS No. 50-00-0) in paints, aiming to prohibit the sales (e.g., retail, online) of paints with formaldehyde which are used for indoor applications. Formaldehyde is commonly used in the manufacture of resins, as a disinfectant, or as a preservative in building products. Exposure to this substance may cause adverse health effects. The consultation period began on November 22, 2023; and will end on December 13, 2023.
Proposed controls
Only indoor paints that do not contain formaldehyde will be permitted to be sold in Singapore.
Enterprises will have to submit test reports to the NEA indicating that the measured total in-can formaldehyde content in each product is below 0.01% w/w. Tests shall be conducted by laboratories accredited by accreditation bodies (e.g., Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC)) that are signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA), for total formaldehyde content measurement in paints.
Enterprises handling paints containing formaldehyde will be subject to the hazardous substances (HS) licensing requirements.
Enterprises manufacturing and/or importing indoor paints contianing formaldehyde for export or re-export purposes will be required to apply for a HS license from the NEA.
Industrial paints and paints used for outdoor applications sold in Singapore will be subject to labeling requirements.
Industrial paints and paints used for outdoor applications sold in Singapore will not require the HS license from the NEA. However, they will have to be labeled to inform users that they contain formaldehyde and are meant for industrial or outdoor use only and not for indoor use.
* Examples of paints for industrial applications include those conferring anti-fouling properties for marine vessels, and anti-corrosion properties for metal structures and equipment.
These proposed controls are expected to come into force on July 1, 2025. The NEA will carry out active market surveillance and enforcement to ensure that indoor paints sold are in compliant with the regulation. Additionally, the NEA may consider extending these controls to paints used for outdoor applications in the future.
The public consultation page can be accessed here.
