DEAS 926:  2018
ICS 87.040
 
© EAC 2018                                                                                                                              First Edition 2018 
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
Varnishes for Interior surfaces — Specification 
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DEAS 926: 2018 
ii © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
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 DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  iii
 Foreword 
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated  by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered  when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committ ee (EASC) mandated to develop and 
issue East African Standards (EAS).  The Committee is composed of representatives of the National 
Standards Bodies in Partner States, together with the represent atives from the public and private sector 
organizations in the community.  
East African Standards are developed through Technical Committe es that are representative of key 
stakeholders including government, academia, consumer groups, p rivate sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders thr ough the National Standards Bodies in the 
Partner States. The comments received are discussed and incorpo rated before finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for development o f East African Standards.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with  technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they al ways have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Commit tee EASC/TC 070, Paints, varnishes and 
related products.   
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements  of this document may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any o r all such patent rights. 
During the preparation of this Standard, reference was made to the following document: 
……………………………………………. 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from this source. 
  DRAFT EAST AFRICAN S TANDARD DEAS 926: 2018
 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved 1
 Varnishes for Interior  surfaces — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft East African Standard specifies the requirement and methods of sampling and test for varnishes 
used on interior surfaces such a s wood, concrete, stones, metal s etc. 
This Standard covers two types of varnishes namely type I and t ype II. 
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a w ay that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the e dition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the refer enced document (including any am endments) applies. 
ISO 1524 -18, Paints and varnishes — Method of test — Part 18: Determination of fineness of grind 
ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes — Determination of specular gloss of non-metallic paint films at 20°, 60° and 
85° 
ISO 4618, Paints and varnishes — Terms and definitions 
ISO 6503, Paints and varnishes — Determination of total lead — Flame atomic absorption spectrometric 
method 
ISO 9117-3, Paints and varnishes — Drying tests — Part 3, Surface-drying test using ballotini as test method  
ISO 15528, Paints, varnishes and raw materials for paints and varnishes — Sampling  
ISO 17132, Paints and varnishes — T-bend test 
 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and defi nitions apply. 
3.1 
batch 
definite quantity of a material which was produced under unifor m conditions 
3.2 
varnish 
a clear coating material which when applied to a substrate form s a transparent film. DEAS 926: 2018 
2 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 4 Types of varnishes 
The varnish shall be of two types namely: 
a) Type I 
General purpose glossy or matt. 
b) Type II 
Solvent, heat and chem ical-resistant glossy or matt varnish. 
5 Requirements 
5.1 General requirements 
5.1.1 Condition in the container 
5.1.1  Freshly opened containers of the material shall show no sign o f livering or instability. Glossy varnish 
and its components shall be clear, transparent and free from se diment.  
5.1.2  Any sediment present in matt varnish or its component shall be  capable of being easily and rapidly 
dispersed with a stirrer to a s mooth homogeneous state. Type I varnish shall be free f rom skins and lumps. 
5.2 Specific requirements 
The varnish shall comply with requirements in Table 1. 
Table 1 — Specific requirements fo r Varnishes for Interior surf aces  
Sl. 
No. characteristic Type of varnish Requirement Test method  
i) Pot life II No signs of separation, 
incompatibility or gelation Annex A 
iii) Resistance to 
skinning  I should not skin Annex B 
iv) Fineness of grind, 
µm ,max Matt 25  ISO 1524 
v) Application 
properties I Shall comply Annex C 
II Shall comply 
vi) spraying 
properties All Shall comply Annex D 
vii) Recoating 
properties I 
II Brushing; 16 h 
Spraying; 16 h Brushing; 6 h 
Spraying; 6 h Annex E 
viii) Drying time ISO 9117-3 
a) Surface dry a) I 4 h, max. DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  3
 b) II 1 h, max. 
 b) Hard Dry a) I 
b) II 16 h, max. 
8 h, max. ISO 9117-1 
ix) Scratch 
resistance All Shall comply 
 Annex F 
x) Flexibility All Shall not crack or show loss 
of adhesion when bent 
through 1800 over a 4-mm 
diameter mandrel. ISO 17132 
xi) specular gloss(Gloss units) ISO 2813 
a) 20˚ I and II, gloss 85, min. 
I and II, matt ‒ 
b) 60˚ I and II, gloss ‒ 
I and II, matt 0 ‒ 20 
xii) Yellowing All Shall comply 
 Annex G 
xiii) resistance to cold 
water All Shall comply 
 Annex H 
xiv) Solvent 
resistance II Shall comply 
 Annex J 
xv) Heat resistance II Shall comply 
 Annex K 
xvi) chemical 
resistance II Shall comply Annex L 
xvii) Lead content, 
max. All 90ppm ISO 6503 
6  Packaging and labelling  
6.1  Packaging  
The Varnish shall be packaged in a suitable container that prev ents it from deterioration during storage, 
transportation and normal handling  
6.2 Labelling 
6.2.1  The labelling shall be either in English, Kiswahili or French or in combination as agreed between the 
manufacturer and / or the supplier. Any other language is optio nal.  DEAS 926: 2018 
4 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 6.2.2  The Varnishes shall be packaged in containers that are legibly  and indelibly marked with the following 
information:  
a) the name of the product shall appear as "Gloss" or "Matt" va rnish ; 
b) the words, " varnish for interior use", 
c) name and address of the manufacturer or brand name or both; 
d) the type; 
e) recommended thinner; f) Net content in litres; 
g) date of manufacture; 
h) batch number; i) best before date; and 
j) instruction for use; disposal and safety precautions. 
7 Sampling 
Sampling shall be done in accordance to ISO 15528. 
8 Quality of reagents 
Unless otherwise specified, analytical grade reagents and disti lled water or de-ionized water of equivalent 
purity shall be used in all tests. 
 DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  5
 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Determination of pot life for Type 2 varnish 
 
A.1 Apparatus 
A.1.1 Tin container , 500-ml . 
A.2 Procedure 
A.2.1  Fill a clean 500-ml tin plate container with freshly mixed var nish, cover the container with tight fitting 
lid and invert momentarily. 
A.2.2 Store in an upright position at temperature of 25 ˚C ± 2 ˚C for a period of 8 h minimum (measured at 
the time of mixing), during this period do not agitate or distu rb it. 
A.2.3 At the end of the period, inspect and test the contents of the container for compliance. 
A.3 Report 
The varnish shall show no signs of separation, incompatibility or gelation. DEAS 926: 2018 
6 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Annex B 
(normative) 
 
Resistance to skinning of Type I varnish 
 
B.1 Apparatus 
B.1.1 Container, 500-ml with airtight lid 
B.1.2 Spatula 
B.1.3 Porcelain spot plate 
B.2 Procedure 
Fill the tin to three quarters of its capacity, with well mixed  sample. Put the lid on securely, invert the tin for a 
few seconds and the allow it to stand undisturbed in the normal  upright position for 48 h. Open the lid and 
observe for skinning. 
B.3 Report 
Type I varnish shall not skin. DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  7
 Annex C 
(normative) 
 
Application properties 
C.1 Apparatus  
C.1.1 Wooden panels , 450 mm x 450 mm 
C.2 Procedure 
C.2.1  For Type I, apply varnish on the wooden panels described in An nex F at 12.3 m2/L to 14.3 m2 /L and 
allow a wet edge of 5 min. 
C.2.2  For Type II, apply as type I but starting in a top corner in a  criss-crossing manner to the area stated 
above and lay of slightly with curved stokes. Continue applicat ion along the edges in this area in the same 
way. 
C.2.3  Keep the edges wet and in each case lay off into the previousl y varnished portion until the entire 
surface of the panel is covered with varnish. 
C.3 Report  
C.3.1  Type 1 shall show good spreading, joining and leveling propert ies. The dried fi lm shall be uniform in 
gloss and shall be free from brush marks, nibs, sags, wrinkles and other undesired properties. 
C.3.2  Type II  shall show no shall show no cissing or tendency to blush. The d ried film shall be uniform in 
gloss and shall be free from bubbles, nibs, brush marks, sags a nd other undesirable properties.  DEAS 926: 2018 
8 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Annex D 
(normative) 
 
Spraying properties 
D.1 Apparatus  
D.1.1 Wooden panels , 450 mm x 450 mm 
D.1.2 Applicator 
D.2 Procedure 
D.2.1  Use varnish as supplied or after thinning nine parts of the va rnish with more than one part of the thinner 
recommended by the manufacturer. 
D.2.2 Apply the varnish at wet film thickness of 65 µm to 75 µm and a llow no wedge time. Examine the wet 
film, and after allowing the film to dry (with the panels in ve rtical position) for the appropriate period specified 
in Table 2.  
D.3 Report 
The varnish shall spray well and show no cissing, bubbling or t endency to blush, sag, creep, run or produce 
an orange peel effect DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  9
 Annex E 
(normative) 
 
Recoating properties 
E.1 Procedure 
Allow panels used in Annexes D and F for appropriate period (2)  specified in Table 2. Apply second coat in 
the same manner, and inspect immediately after application. 
E.2 Report 
The panel shall cause no wrinkling, blistering or lifting of th e first coat and shall show no other defects DEAS 926: 2018 
10 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Annex F 
(normative) 
 
Scratch resistance 
F.1 Apparatus 
F.1.1 Panels 
F.1.1.1 Clear glass panels, of thickness approximat ely 6 mm and superficial size 70 mm x 15 0 mm unless 
different size is specified in the test method. 
F.1.1.2 Plane polished black glass panels, of thickness 6 mm and superficial size 70 mm x 15 mm. 
F.1.1.3 Corrosion-free cold rolled steel panels,  of superficial size 70 mm x 150 mm and thickness of 0.6 
to 0.90 mm.  
F.1.1.4 Tin plated panels, of size 150 mm x 70 m x 0.31 mm.  
F.1.1.5 White glazed porcelain tiles, of size 150 mm x 150 mm, and wit h reflectance of at least, 80%.   
F.1.1.6 Pine veneer-faced laminated wooden panels, of size at least 150 mm x 300 mm.  
F.1.2 Degreasing  
Clean test panels to remove grease before use. If steel panels are not to be used immediately, store them in 
the desiccator until they are required. 
F.1.3 Application of films  
Apply the varnish with an applicator blade at film thickness of  70 µm to 80 µm, unless otherwise specified. 
F.1.4 Air Drying a 
Immediately after application of the film, place panels in hori zontal position in standard test conditions for 
drying. 
Air-dry test panels in standard test conditions for a period of  168 h. 
F.2 Report 
F.2.1  Type II varnish shall not be marked when a mass of 500 g is ap plied. 
F.2.2  The scratch produced on type I varnish by application of a mas s of 1500 g and on type II varnish by 
application of 1800 g, shall be free from jagged edges and shal l not penetrate to the underlying surface DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  11
 Annex G 
(normative) 
 
Yellowing 
G.1 Reagents 
Reference varnish, will consist of the following: 
G.1.1 Resin,  sunflower-oil-modified alkyd resin with phthalic anhydride con tent of 24 % (by mass) and an oil 
length of 65% (by mass). 
G.1.2 Solvent,  petroleum spirit of low aromatic content, enough to give varni sh consistency with similar 
application properties as samples under test. 
G.1.3 Driers, grams per 100g of the resin:  
G.1.3.1 Cobaltnaphtenate , 0.05 g (expressed as Co) 
G.1.3.2 Calcium naphtenate , 0.25 g (expressed as Ca) 
G.2 Procedure 
G.2.1 Type I varnish 
G.2.1.1 Prepare tiles in accordance with Annex F and using 50-mm applic ator blade to apply the reference 
varnish to one of a panel and var nish under test to other half.  Air dry for 24 h. 
G.2.1.2 Store the panel in the dark cupboard and in standard test condi tions for a period of six weeks. Do not 
open the cupboard during the test. 
G.2.1.3 At the end of this period asses the degree of yellowing of each  film by comparing its colour (visually) 
with that of a 24 h old film of the same varnish (i.e reference  or test varnish, as relevant) for compliance with 
G.3. 
G.2.2 Type II varnish claimed to be non-yellowing 
Prepare and edge two panels as described in G.2.1. Store one ti le in the dark as described in G.2.1.2 and 
expose the other tile (indoors) to normal ambient and seasonal conditions of diffuse daylight and darkness at 
the same period. At the end of the exposure period asses as des cribed in G.2.1.3. 
G.3 Report 
G.3.1  The yellowing of type I varnish shall exceed that of the refer ence varnish tested at the same time. 
G.3.2  Type II varnish if claimed to be non-yellowing, shall not exce ed that of the reference varnish tested at 
the same time. DEAS 926: 2018 
12 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Annex H 
(normative) 
 
Resistance to cold water 
H.1 Apparatus 
H.1.1 Panels 
H.1.1.1 Clear glass panels, of thickness approximat ely 6 mm and superficial size 70 mm x 15 0 mm unless 
different size is specified in the test method. 
H.1.2 Preparation of the panel  
Apply a coat of varnish to glass panel at spreading rate of 12. 3 m2 /L to 14.3 m2 /L and allow a wet edge time 
of 5 min. Age the first coat for  6 h and apply a second coat at  same film thickness. 
H.2 Procedure 
H.2.1  Immerse the panels in distilled water maintained at 25 ˚C ± 2 ˚C for, 
a) Type I varnish  24 h b) Type II varnish 168 h 
H.2.2  Examine films immediately after removal from water and again a fter relevant recovery period under 
test conditions  
H.3 Report 
H.3.1  Type I film shall show no lifting (either between coats or awa y from substrates) or other visible defects 
except slight whitening or dulling or both and not more than sl ight softening. After a 4-hour recovery period, it 
shall be free from whitening, dulling, softening and other defe cts. 
H.3.2   Type II film shall show no lifting (either between coats or a way from substrates) or other visible 
defects. After 1 hour of recovery period, it shall be free from  softening and other defects. DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  13
 Annex J 
(normative) 
 
Resistance to solvent for Type II varnish 
 
J.1 Reagents 
J.1.1 Methyl iso-butyl ketone 
J.2 Material 
J.2.1 Cotton wool 
J.2.2 Clear glass panels , of thickness approximately 6 mm and superficial size 70 mm x 150 mm unless 
different size is specified in the test method. 
J.3 Procedure 
J.3.1  Prepare and age glass panel in accordance with Annex F. Soak a  swab of cotton wool in methyl iso-
butyl ketone, place it upon the film, cover the swab with a wat ch glass, and leave it in position for 15 min at 25 
˚C ± 2 ˚C. 
J.3.2  Inspect the varnish film immediately after removal of the swab  again after 4 h recovery period under 
standard test conditions. 
J.4 Report 
Type II varnish film shall show no blistering, wrinkling, or li fting. After a 4 hours recovery period, the exposed 
portion of the film shall show no softening. DEAS 926: 2018 
14 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Annex K 
(normative) 
 
Heat resistance of Type II varnish 
J.1 Apparatus 
K.1.1 Panels 
K.1.1.1 Clear glass panels  specified in Annex F, but at least 150 mm in superficial size.  
K.1.1.2 Container , a suitable 500-mL tin plate container (with a lid) of diamete r approximately 90 mm. 
K.2 Procedure 
K2.1 Draw down a 100-mm wide film of the varnish as described in F.1 .3 and allow it to age for 48 h. 
K.2.2 Fill the container with boiling water, replace the lid and imme diately place the container in the varnish 
film. 
K.2.3 Allow the container to remain undisturbed on the film until the  water has cooled to room temperature. 
K.2.4 Remove the container and note whether the varnish film adheres to the container and whether the 
container has produced a mark on the surface of the film.  
K.3 Report 
Type II varnish shall show no tendency to adhere to the contain er and the container shall leave no visible 
mark on the film. DEAS 926: 2018 
© EAC 2018 – All rights reserved  15
 Annex L 
(normative) 
 
Chemical resistance of Type II varnish 
L.1 Reagents 
L.1.1 Ethanol, one volume mixed with one volume of distilled water.  
L.1.2 Acetic acid solution , five volumes mixed with 95 volumes of distilled water. 
L.1.3 Sodium hydroxide solution, 5 g in 95 ml of distilled water. 
L.1.4 Beverage, a coca-cola type beverage. 
L.2 Procedure 
L.2.1 Prepare and age 4 glass panel in accordance with Annex F. 
L2.2  Place the panels in a horizontal position and, using a separate  panel for each reagent, form small pool 
of the reagent on the film and cover with a watch glass. 
L.2.3 Allow the reagent to remain in contact with the film at 25 ˚C ± 2 ˚C for the relevant period of time 
below.  
L.2.3.1  Alcohol, 16 h 
L.2.3.2  Acid, sodium hydroxide, 6 h  
L.2.3.3  Beverage, 16 h 
L2.3.4 At the end of the exposure period, wipe off reagent, wash the p anel with mild soap under running 
water (using a soft sponge) and the gently wipe with a piece of  chamos leather. Inspect each panel 
immediately and again after 2 h of recovery period under standa rd test condition  
L.2.3.5 After 24 h recovery period under standard test conditions, test  the exposed portions of the film  
L.3 Report 
Type II varnish after exposure to the action of an alcohol, an acid, alkali or beverage shall immediately after 
removal of reagents, show no blistering, wrinkling or loss of a dhesion, and not more than slight softening or 
change of colour.  DEAS 926: 2018 
16 © EAC 2018 – All rights reserved
 Bibliography 
[1] KS 2581:2015, Paints and varnishes — Varnish for wooden sur face — Specification 
  
  
 
 
  
 DEAS 926: 2018 
 
© EAC 2018  – All rights reserved