TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STANDARD  
 
COMPULSORY  
 
 
PAINTS  – WATER - BORNE AND SOLVENT - BORNE  COATINGS  - 
COMPULSORY  REQUIREMENTS  
 
PCTTCS 28:20XX  
(Replaces TTS 164:2011)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright ©  
This National Standard issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is copyright protected by the Standards Act 
No. 18 of 1997 and neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitt ed 
in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being secured 
from the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards.  
Request for permission to reproduce should be addressed as follows:  
Executive Director  
Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards  
Century Drive, Trincity Industrial Estate,  
Macoya, Tunapuna,  
P.O. Box 467, Port of Spain  
Trinidad and Tobago  
Phone: 662 -TTBS E -MAIL: ttbs@ttbs.org.tt  
 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
ii Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards disclaimer and exclusion of liability  
The information contained herein is provided without any representations, warranties or conditions of 
any kind, express or implied, including (but not limited to) implied warranties or conditions concerning 
the accuracy, reliability, completeness  or currency of the information.  
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) makes no representation and gives no 
warranties in relation to the information herein, its compliance with any relevant statue, rule, regulation, 
policy formulation, legal instrument or notice whatsoever and where so ever derived nor whether the 
said information infringes or is likely to infringe any patent, copyright, specification, design, invention or 
drawing which is protected whether locally or internationally.  
Neither the TTBS as a body corporate nor its members, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates or volunteers 
shall be liable to any party (whether local or international) for any loss, damage, costs or expenses 
incurred whether directly or indirectly, in reliance on th e information herein; nor is the Bureau, its 
members, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates or volunteers liable to indemnify any third party for such 
loss or damage payable by it arising from the use of said information.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 iii General statement  
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (the Bureau) is a body corporate established under the 
authority of the Standards Act No. 18 of 1997 (herein after referred to as the Standards Act).  
In accordance with the Standards Act, the Bureau shall promote and  encourage the development and 
maintenance of standards and further shall establish standards for the following: to improve goods 
produced or used in Trinidad and Tobago; to ensure industrial efficiency and development; to promote 
public and industrial wel fare, health and safety; and to protect the environment.  
The Bureau develops standards through consultation with relevant interest groups, and public comment 
is invited on all draft standards before they are declared as Trinidad and Tobago Standards in 
accordance with the provisions of the Standards Act.  
The Bureau is the legal custodian of Trinidad and Tobago Standard Marks, which are issued in 
accordance with the Standards Act. When a Trinidad and Tobago Standard Mark appears on any 
product, or in connect ion with any service, process or practice, it provides assurance that such a product, 
service, process or practice conforms to a Trinidad and Tobago Standard.  
The Bureau’s Standards Information Centre maintains a reference library of standards, including l ocal, 
regional and international standards and is the national node of the International Organization for 
Standardization Information Network (ISONET).  The Centre serves as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point 
which disseminates information on standards and technical  regulations as it relates to the World Trade 
Organization, Technical Barrier s to Trade Agreement. It also acts  as the sales agent for the publications 
of foreign and international standards organizations.  
NOTE  In order to keep abreast of progress in the i ndustries concerned, Trinidad and Tobago 
Standards are subject to periodic review. Suggestions for improvements are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
iv Contents  
             Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  2 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  2 
4 Compulsory requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 6 
5 Conflict with other national standards  ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
6 Mechanisms to demonstrate compliance  ................................ ................................ ..........  9 
7 Measures related to non -compliance  ................................ ................................ ..............  10 
 
Table  1 — Chemical requirements for water -borne and solvent -borne coatings …..……………… 6 
 
 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 1 Foreword  
This s tandard  was declared a Trinidad and Tobago Standard on …….. , after the draft had been 
approved by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS).  
TTCS 28:20XX, Paints – Water -borne and solvent -borne coatings – Compulsory requirements  was 
established in alignment with the principles of Good Regulatory Practices to outline minimum 
requirements for wate r-borne and solvent -borne coatings . It replaces the following Trinidad and Tobago 
Standard which is obsolete and has been withdrawn:  
 TTS 164:2011, Architectural coatings – General requirements  
 
TTCS 28:20XX differs from TTS 164:2011  with respect to the following:  
a) The maximum limits for volatile organic compounds and total lead content were  updated in 
alignment with the CARICOM Regional Standards for water -borne and solvent -borne coatings . 
b) The labelling requirements were  updated in alignment with the national compulsory labelling 
standard for pre -packaged goods.  
c) The compliance clause was updated and an addition al clause was been included to a ddress non -
compliance issues.  
 
TTBS has recommended that this standard be accorded compulsory status. This standard will become 
effective as a compulsory standard on a date to be notified by the Minister responsible for trade and 
industry in a Notice to be  published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, as required by the Standards 
Act (Chapter 82:03) to:  
1) protect the consumer or user against danger to health or safety;  
2) protect the environment; and  
3) require adequate information to be given to the consumer or user.  
 
This standard is intended for use by:  
 
- manufacturers, agents, distributors, sellers , re-fillers,  importers, wholesalers and retailers of  wate r-
borne and solvent -borne coatings  to assist in manufacturing or procuring products which satisfy 
minimum requirements and demonstrate compliance to this compulsory standard; and  
- regulatory agencies as a basis for assessing imported or locally manufactured wate r-borne and 
solvent -borne c oatings  within an established regulatory framework.  
 
In the preparation of this standard, considerable information was obtained from the following 
documents, which were current at the time that this standard was being prepared:  
CARICOM Regional Standards  
- CRS 47 :2021 , Paints – Water -borne coatings - Specification  
- CRS 48:2022,  Paints – Solvent -borne coatings - Specification  
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
2  
1 Scope  
This standard establishes chemical and labelling requirements for water -borne and solvent -borne 
coatings  for use  in Trinidad and Tobago .  
This standard applies to packaged coatings including decorative and architectural coatings , untinted 
bases, primers intended for use on interior and exterior surfaces and coatings tinted at the point of sale.  
 
This standard is applicable to liquid  and aerosol  coatings  including emulsion, latex, water -soluble, 
water -dispersible or colloidal coatings, coatings with alkyd and modified alkyd resins and textured 
coatings.  
  
This standard does not apply to stains, var nishes, putties, glazing compounds, lacquers, and industrial 
protective coatings.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For undat ed references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
ASTM International  
ASTM D3335 , Standard Test Method for Low Concentrations of Lead, Cadmium, and Cobalt in Paint 
by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy  
ASTM D3960, Standard Practice for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints 
and Related Coatings  
International Organi zation for Standardization  
ISO 6503 , Paints and varnishes – Determination of total lead – Flame atomic absorption spectrometric 
method  
ISO 11890 -1, Paints and varnishes – Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) content – Part 
1: Difference method  
ISO 11890 -2, Paints and varnishes -- Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) content -- Part 
2: Gas -chromatographic met hod 
 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1 
alkyd resin  
synthetic resin made from polyhydric alcohols and polybasic acids; generally modified with resins, fatty 
oils or fatty acids  PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 3 3.2 
architectural coating  
organic coating intended for on -site application to interior or exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, 
institutional, or industrial buildings, in contrast to industrial protective coatings  
 
3.3 
coating  
film  
layer formed from a single or multiple application of a coating material to a substrate  
3.4 
coating material  
product, which when applied to a substrate, forms a layer possessing protective, decorative and or 
other specific properties  
3.5   
colour  
sensation resulting from t he perception of light of a given spectral composition by the human eye  
 
3.6 
date of minimum durability  
any date after which the manufacturer or packager does not guarantee any property of the coating by 
reason of the foreseeable deterioration due to age or normal handling and storage  
 
3.7 
drying time  
stage reached during a drying or curing process when a paint film has sufficient strength to withstand 
any damages  
 
3.8 
glazing compound  
dough -like material consisting of pigment and vehicle, used for sealing window glass in frames  
 
Note 1 to entry: Glazing compound differs from putty in that it retains its plasticity for an extended period.  
 
3.9 
industrial protective coating  
paint applie d to substrates on -site of structures and buildings, especially where subject to corrosive 
environments, as industrial, urban, and marine environments  
 
3.10 
lacquer  
coating composition that is based on synthetic thermoplastic film -forming material dissolv ed in organic  
solvent that dries primarily by solvent evaporation  
 
3.11 
material safety data sheet  
safety data sheet  
document designed to provide information regarding the health and safety aspects of a paint product  
Note 1 to entry:  The document typically includes information concerning generic material identification, hazardous 
ingredients, physical data, fire and explosion data, health hazards, reactivity data, spill or leak procedures, special 
protection requirements and other special precautio ns. 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
4 3.12 
mistinted coating  
coating that does not match the colour specified by the manufacturer  
 
3.13 
package  
any container in which the water -borne and solvent -borne coatings are to be sold, distributed or used  
 
3.14 
paint  
pigmented coating material which, when applied to a substrate, forms an opaque dried film having 
protective, decorative or specific technical properties  
 
3.15 
primer  
coating that has been formulated for use as the first coat in a coating system on prepared surfaces  
 
3.16 
putty  
dough -like material consisting of pigment and vehicle used for sealing glass in frames and for filling 
imperfections in wood or metal surfaces.  
 
3.17 
recoat time  
time at which the film has solidified so completely that an additional coat can be applied wi thout the 
development of any film irregularities  
 
Note 1 to entry:  Film irregularities include  lifting, removal or loss of adhesion of the first coat.  
 
3.18 
seconds  
coatings which do not fully satisfy the specific requirements for the particular good, have defects or are 
incomplete, but which still fulfil intended usage requirements  
Note  1 to entry: The ‘specific requirements’ referred to are those specified by the m anufacturer and can be a 
company specification, industry standard, foreign, national or international standard . 
Note 2 to entry: The classification of coatings  as “seconds” is greatly dependent on the manufacturer’s own 
specification or standard . 
 
3.19 
solvent-borne coating  
coating formulated on the base of hydrocarbon solvents which are used as the vehicle to carry the solid 
components of the paint   
3.20 
stain  
clear semi -transparent or opaque coating labelled and formulated to change the colour of a surface, but 
not conceal the grain pattern or texture  
 
 
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 5 3.21 
technical data sheet  
document designed to provide information on a specific paint product  
Note 1 to entry:  The type of information typically includes product uses, features, service properties, application 
properties, application instructions, packaging information and information on storage and handling . 
3.22 
textured coating  
paint which, after drying, is characterized by a patterned finish used for decorative purposes  
 
 
3.23 
top coat  
final coating, applied in one or more coats, to the interior or exterior of a stationary structure or their 
appurtenances  
 
3.24 
total lead content  
weight percentage of the total non -volatile portion of the paint or as a percentage of the weight of the 
dried paint film  
 
3.25 
untinted base  
incomplete paint that requires addition of colourants to be considered a finished coating  
 
3.26 
varnish  
liquid composition that is converted to a transparent or translucent solid film after application as a thin 
layer  
 
3.27 
volatile organic compound (VOC)  
organic compound that evaporates spontaneously under conditions of standard temperature  (0oC) 
and standard atmospheric pressure (101325 Pa)  
 
Note 1 to entry: The maximum bo iling point of the VOC is  2500C at standard pressure.  
 
3.28 
water -borne coating  
coating  in which the principal volatile constituent is water  
 PCTTCS 28:20XX  
6 4 Compulsory  requirements  
4.1 Chemical requirements  
Water -based and solvent -based coatings  shall meet the r equirements outlined in Table 1 when tested 
in accordance with the specified test methods or any other test methods , which  are acceptable to TTBS.  
Table  1 — Chemical requirements for water -borne and solvent -borne coatings  
Propert y Water -borne coating  Solvent -borne coating  Test method  
Top coat  Primer  Top coat  Primer   
Maximum 
volatile 
organic 
compounda 
g/l 
 250 250 450 450 ISO 11890 -1 or 
ISO 11890 -2 or 
ASTM D3960  
 
Maximum total 
lead contentb 
by weight  
% 0.009  
  
 0.009    
  
 0.009    
  
 0.009   
 
 ISO 6503 or 
ASTM D3335  
 
a Volatile organic compound (VOC) is calculated as a total value without factoring exempted compounds in the 
calculation.  
b The manufac turer, importer, distributor,  seller , re-filler, wholesaler  or retailer  may indicate the lead content to the 
purchaser by any of the following methods:  
1) A statement on the label indicating that the coating conforms to the total lead content outlined  in this standard ; or 
2) The relevant information either in print or digita l format upon request  by the purchaser . 
 
4.2 Labelling requirements  
4.2.1  Retail packages of water -borne and solvent -borne coatings shall be legibly labelled, at a 
minimum in the English language and the English alphabet.  
4.2.2     Where the brand name of the water -borne or solvent -borne coatings , or the name and address 
of the manufacturer  or of such other person as required by this standard are not in the English Language, 
it shall not be necessary to translate the meaning of such name(s) and address into the English 
Language, but such information shall be stated in a form using the English alphabet, with or without 
accent signs.  
4.2.3 The label shall contain the following information:  
a) common name, generic name or usual name of the water -based or solvent -based coating;  
b) trade name or brand name;  
c) a state ment of : PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 7 1) name  of the manufacture, agent, distributor, seller, importer, re-filler wholesaler or retailer ; and  
2) address, or the principal place of business or registered office of the manufacturer, agent, 
distributor, seller,  re-filler, importer, who lesaler or retailer  of water -based or solvent -based 
coatings.  
The above information shall be preceded by the words “manufactured by”, “distributed by”, or “imported 
by” or any format that is  acceptable to TTBS.  
d) country of origin which is stated with the following words as appropriate  or any format that is 
acceptable to TTBS:  
1) “made in”;  
2) “product of”;  
3) “manufactured in”;  
4) “produced in” and  
5) “packaged in”.  
NOTE      It is useful if the contact information of the manufacturer,  agent , distributor, seller,  re-filler, importer, 
wholesaler, or retailer responsible for the water -based or solvent -based coating can be placed on the label.  
EXAMPLE  Telephone number, email  address, website, QR code, social  media handle etc.  
e) the net quantity of the package in the appropriate unit of measurement, subject to such tolerance 
in accordance with the latest version of the Metrology Act  (Chapter 82:06).  
f) active ingredients;  
g) type of coating ; 
 EXAMPLE      Emulsion, water -borne, solvent -borne etc . 
h) directions for use ; 
i) drying time  in hours ; 
NOTE          Drying time can be assessed using ISO  9117 -1, Paints and varnishes - Drying tests - Part 1: 
Determination of through -dry state and through -dry time  or ASTM D5895 , Standard Test Methods for Evaluating 
Drying or Curing During Film Formation of Organic Coatings Using Mechanical Recorders . 
j) spreading rate  in m2/l; 
k) recoat time  in hours , which  shall be provided on either the label or any supplementary 
documentation;  
l) instru ctions for surface preparation of coated and uncoated surfaces;  
m) thinning instructions  (where applicable) ; PCTTCS 28:20XX  
8 NOTE      Information pertaining to thinning instructions (where applicable), spreading rate , recoat time  and 
instructions for surface preparation for  coated and uncoated surfaces can be provided to the purchaser of solvent -
borne coatings via QR codes, brochures, manuals , technical data sheets, leaflets  etc. 
n) first aid information;  
o) batch number or lot number ; if coded, the interpretation of the code shall be communicated to 
TTBS  upon request ;  
p) intended use i.e. whether interior  or exterior ; 
q) for aerosols, all the following statements or words of similar intent which are conspicuous:  
1) "This container is pressurized‘';  
2) "Keep away from heat including direct sunlight"; and  
3)  "Do not puncture or incinerate even when empty".  
r) volatile organic compound content  – This information  shall be provided on either the  top lid of the  
package  or its label. It shall be specified as either a range or absolute value.  
NOTE The VOC content is typically  expressed in g/L.  
s) clearly labelled using the word “mistinted” or any variation of the word where applicable;  
t) clearly labelled using the word “seconds”  where applicable ; 
u) date of minimum durability expressed using the words “best before”, “expiry”, “use by”, “BB” or 
“EXP”  in a format which is unambiguous and acceptable to the TTBS.  These words shall be 
accompanied by: either the date itself; or a reference to the location of the date. Two-digit year 
date markings may be accep table only when the abbreviations are included as DD/MM/YY or 
YY/MM/DD as appropriate, with the accompanying date marking, in a format acceptable to the 
TTBS.  
NOTE 1  Examples of acceptable date markings format are as follows:  
i. JAN 22  
ii. JAN 2022  
iii. 13 JAN 2022  
iv. 01 2022  
v. 01 22 MM/YY  
 
NOTE 2  Examples of unacceptable date markings formats are as follows:  
i) 01 08  
ii) 21 05 22  PCTTCS 28:20XX  
 9 iii) 21 JAN 22  
v) storage conditions ; 
NOTE    Typical wording includes “cool dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources ”. 
w) cautionary notes or words of similar intent as follows:  
1)   Keep out of reach of children;  
2)   This product may be harmful if swallowed;  
3)   Read label before using;  
4)   Flammable;  
5)   Keep away from open flames; and  
6)   Ventilation is required on application.  
 
x)   cautionary notes or symbols or both that apply to hazards shall be aligned to the Globally 
Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) or any other system that is 
acceptable to TTBS where applicable ; and  
y) colour identification of  the dry fil m in terms of a colour name , colour reference  or both . 
 
NOTE 1     The colour reference can  be from the manufacturer or an established colour standard (used in industry 
standards), colour code or fan deck. Additional ly, the relevant information  can be made available to the purchaser 
either in print or digital format upon request.  
 
NOTE 2         It is acknowledged that imported  untinted  base s are coloured at the point of sale and may not display 
a colour identification at the point of inspection , by TTBS . The colour identification can  be given at the point of retail 
sale or documented between the buyer and seller . 
  
NOTE 3       The disposal of coatings is typically  in compliance  with the requirements of the national competent 
authority  for the en vironment .  
 
NOTE 4       The colour is normally agreed upon between the manufac turer, importer or distributor, seller, re-filler, 
retailer or wholesaler and the purchaser at the point of sale . 
5 Conflict with other national standards  
Whenever there is a conflict between the requirements of this standard and any other compulsory 
national standard(s) covering the same product(s) or categories of products, the standard(s) containing 
the more specific requirements shall take precedence . 
6 Mechanisms to demonstr ate c ompliance  
6.1   Locally manufactured and imported water -borne and solvent -borne coatings  shall comply with the 
requir ements outlined in Clause  4 of this standard. TTBS shall verify compliance to this standard and 
water -borne and solvent -borne coatings  under the scope of this standard and shall be subject to a 
mandatory conformity assessment programme administered by TTBS.  
NOTE    Conformity assessment activities include inspection, testing, certification, verification and 
validation.  PCTTCS 28:20XX  
10 6.2 TTBS may consider and accept information from other sources, such as third party testing, product 
certification and/or quality management system certification from an accredited body. If an accredited 
body is not available, the information can be provided by a body approved by TTBS, subject to the 
terms and conditions of TTBS in accordance with the latest version of the Standards Act (Chapter 82:03), 
to provide objective evidence of compliance to the standard. The information may include test reports 
and ot her relevant information. Provision of this information does not exempt TTBS from conducting 
any further conformity assessment activities deemed necessary to demonstrate compliance with the 
standard.    
6.3 In the event that the water -borne and solvent -borne coatings  have  a product certification mark, 
the mark shall be genuine and both the mark and the associated standard shall be submitted for 
approval by TTBS.  
6.4 Notwithstanding Clause 6 .2, the TTBS reserves the right to sample and test for compliance to 
this standard in accordance with the latest version of the Standards Act (Chapter 82:03). Sampling and 
testing shall be done at the expense of the manufacturer,  agent, distributor, seller, re -filler,  importer or 
wholesaler of the goods  where deemed necessa ry by TTBS.  
NOTE  The sampling plan is at the discretion of TTBS . 
6.5 All documentation pertaining to Clauses 4 and 5 shall be in the English Language ; and  
6.6 Technical data sheets or material safety data sheets  or both  shall be provided to TTBS upon request.  
7 Measures related to non -compliance  
7.1 Water -borne and solvent -borne coatings  under the Scope of this standard that are found to be in 
non-compliance of any of the requirements, TTBS shall initiate any of the following actions:  
a) direct the manufacturer, agent, distrib utor, seller,  re-filler, importer, wholesaler, or retailer 
responsible for the water -borne or solvent -borne coatings to remove non -conforming coatings  from 
use throughout Trinidad and Tobago within a specified timeframe;  
b) seize and detain non -conforming water -borne or solvent -borne coatings  within the legal  framework 
in accordance with the latest version of the Standards Act (Chapter 82:03);  
c) prohibit the sale and distribution of non -compliant water -borne or solvent -borne coatings  in Trinidad 
and Tobago;  
d) permit modifications necessary for compliance, where possible; or  
e) any action permitted by the latest version of the Standards Act (Chapter 82:03).  
7.2 Any breaches to this standard are subject to fines and penalties in accordance with the latest 
version of the Standards Act (Chapter 82:03).