1 
  
 
 
 
المواصفة القياسية الكويتية  
KWS 19  Part 2 /2018  
 
 
 
 
 
الأصباغ (الدهانات) المستحلبة 
الجزء الثاني: الأصباغ (الدهانات) المستحلبة للأعمال 
الخارجية أو الأعمال الداخلية الخارجية 
 
Emulsion Paints  
Part 2: Emulsion Paint for Exterior Use or Interior/ Exterior  
Use 
 
 
 
 
الهيئة العامة للصناعة 
دولة الكويت
  
2 
 تقديم 
 
تمثل إدارة المواصفات والمقاييس جهاز التقييس الوطني بدولة الكويت وهي عضو مؤسس في هيئة التقييس لدول مجلس التعاون لدول 
الخليج العربية وهي هيئة إقليمية تضم في عضويتها أجهزة التقييس الوطنية في الدول الأعضاء، ومن مهام الإدارة إعداد المواصفات 
القياسية واللوائح الفنية الكويتية بواسطة لجان فنية متخصصة . 
 
قامت اللجنة الفنية بدراسة  وتحديث المواصفة القياسية الكويتية رقم  KWS 19 part 2،التعاريف  والتصنيف والخصائص وبطاقة 
البيانات مع إدخال تعديلات فنية عليها وذلك وفق القرار الوزاري الصادر بشأنها  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
3 
  
Translation  
 
Public Authority for Industry  
Specifications and Standards Department  
 
Final Draft  
8.3.2018  
Emulsion Paints  
Part 2 : Emulsion Paints for  Exterior  Use  
or Interior  / Exterior  Use 
KSS No.19 /1994    
4 
 Emulsion Paints for Exterior  or Interior  / Exterior  Uses  
1) Scope  
1.1  This Kuwaiti Standard is concerned with the requirements and Specifications and testing methods 
of emulsion paints for exterior  uses  or interior  exterior  uses  and their Classifications, (as well as 
base paints) used as topcoat in the emulsion paints for Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  uses .  
2) Normative references:  
2.1   GSO ISO 1513 – Paints and Varnishes – Examination and Preparation of test samples  
2.2  GSO ISO 1514 - Paints and Varnishes – standard Panels for testing  
2.3  GSO ISO 2808 Paints and Varnishes – determination of film thickness  
2.4  GSO ISO 15528 Paints, varnishes and raw materials for paints and varnishes – Sampling  
2.5  GSO ISO 3270 Paints and varnishes and their raw materials - Temperatures and humidities for 
conditioning and testing  
2.6  GSO ISO 2811 -1 Paints and Varnishes - determination of density – Part 1:  pycnometer  method.  
2.7  GSO ISO 6504 -3 Paints and varnishes - Determination of hiding power - Part 3: Determination 
of contrast ratio of light -coloured paints at a fixed spreadi ng rate  
2.8  GSO ISO 2884 -2 Paints and varnishes - Determination of viscosity using rotary viscometers - 
Part 2: Disc or ball viscometer operated at a specified speed  
2.9  GSO ISO 3251 Paints, varnishes and plastics - Determination of non -volatile -matter c ontent  
2.10  GSO ISO 2813 Paints and varnishes -- Determination of gloss value at 20 degrees, 60 degrees 
and 85 degrees  
2.11  GSO ISO 9117 -4 Paints and varnishes -- Drying tests -- Part 4: Test using a mechanical recorder  
2.12  ASTM D2486 standard test met hods for scrub resistance of wall paints.  
2.13  GSO ISO 1524 Paints, varnishes and printing inks -- Determination of fineness of grind  
2.14  GSO ISO 2812 -4 Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to liquids - Part 4: Spotting 
methods  
2.15  GSO I SO 3856 -1 Paints and varnishes - Determination of "soluble" metal content - Part 1: 
Determination of lead content - Flame atomic absorption spectrometric method and dithizone 
spectrophotometric method  
2.16  GSO ISO 16474 -3 Paints and varnishes - Methods of  exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 
3: Fluorescent UV lamps  
2.17   GSO ISO 11890 -1 Paints and varnishes - Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) 
content – Part 1: Difference method  
GSO ISO 11890 -2 Paints and varnishes - Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) content 
Part 2: Gas -chromatographic method    
5 
  
3) Classifications:  
Emulsion paints for  exterior and  interior exterior  use are classified into the following:  
Class (A) – premium – matt – silk – semi gloss – gloss  
Class (B) – medium – matt – silk 
Note: requirements of medium (semi gloss or gloss) matches with requirements of premium for these 
classes.  
 
 All the above classes are divided into three types of bases, base (A) for light colors, base (B) for 
medium colors and base (C) for dark colours.  
 
4) Terms & Definitions:  
4.1  Emulsion  
A mixture formed by the incorporated of two liquids which are normally immiscible. One liquid is 
dispersed  in the other in the form of minute drops. If the droplets remain permanently dispersed 
the emulsion is said to be stable and certain compounds are added as stabilizers of their power 
to keep the droplets dispersed.  
 
4.2  Emulsion for paints:  
A dispersion  of 2 or more organic monomers which are copolymerised  and dispersed in water. 
The dispersed phase is in the form of minute drops. The droplets remain permanently dispersed. 
The emulsion is said to be stable and certain compound are added as stabilizers b ecause of 
their power to keep the droplet dispersed.  
 
 
 
4.3  Vehicle:  
The liquid portion of the paint in which the pigment is dispersed and it is composed of the binder 
and the thinner if any.  
 
4.4  Binder:  
The non -volatile portion of the “Vehicle” of a paint. It binds or cements the pigments particles 
together and the paint film as a whole to the material to which it is applied.  
 
4.5  Thinner:  
Volatile liquids added to paints or varnishes to facilitate application and to aid penetration by 
lowering gathe r viscosity. They should be completely miscible with the paints or varnish at 
ordinary temperature and should not cause precipitation of the non -volatile portion either in the 
container or in the film during drying. For some purposes thinner containing a s mall proportion 
of non -volatile material may be used.  
 
4.6  Pigment  
The insoluble dispersed particles in a paint which give the dried film its characteristic 
properties of colour and opacity.  
   
6 
  
4.7  Base  
It is a semi -finished product which needs to be tinted to be a finished coloured product and it is 
classified as A base, B base, and C base depending on the required colour of final product.  
 
4.8  Opacity  
The ability of a coat of paint to obscure (hide) an underlying surface.  
 
4.9  Drying time  
The time  which elapses between the application of a coat of paint and the attainment of a 
specified dry state.  
4.10  Peeling (removal)  
The failure which occurs due to the bulging of a dried layer of paint or varnish upon painting with 
another layer, and usually ap pears in the form of twists.  
4.10  Lifting (bulging)  
This is a failure which occurs in the paint or dried painted layer and usually appears in the form of 
wrinkles when painted with another layer above it.  
 
5) Characteristics & Requirements  
5.1      Composition:  
The emulsion paint shall consist of pigments with suitable extenders in suitable proportion in a 
medium consisting of any suitable stable synthetic polymer emulsion in water with other suitable 
ingredients as may be necessary to produce a material so as t o satisfy the requirements of this 
standard.  
 
5.2 Application properties:  
The substance should be applicable by a regular brush or roller or by spraying as recommended 
by the manufacturer (Technical Data Sheet TDS). The paint layer should not reveal any lumping, 
foam or rough protrusions of the paint film or any undesirable properties. Further, the thin paint 
layer should not result in any breakdown, softening or any deformity upon painting with another 
layer of a surface which has been painted earlier, a fter the lapse of 12 hours as a maximum of 
air drying.  
 
5.3 Condition in the container:  
The material shall have no evidence of biological growth, levering, skinning, and putrefaction, 
hard settling of the pigment, lumps, or corrosion of the container. Any settled pigment shall be 
readily dispersible in the liquid medium by stirring with paddl e to produce smooth homogeneous 
emulsion paints, free from persistent foam. The material shall have no irritating or offensive odor.  
 
5.4 Odour:  
The odour of the paint shall not be putrid or otherwise offensive or irritating before, during and 
after application. There shall be no residual odour after 24 hours of drying.    
7 
  
5.5 Resistance to biological growth:  
The paint in the container shall not reveal any growth of fungi during the validity period stated 
on the container, taking into consideration the stor age properties set under clause 5.6.  
 
5.6 Storage properties:  
The paint shall retain its properties in the original sealed container when kept away from direct 
sunlight for a period of 12 months without any skinning forming on the surface or thickening 
happeni ng during this period. If there is any settled pigment, it shall be easily stirred.  
 
5.7 Colour fastness to light:  
The paints shall show no darkening or other changes in appearance when subjected to 72 hours 
exposure to direct sun or any other light source.  
 
5.8 Appearance of dried film (finish):  
When a film of the paint has dried for the specified drying period, it shall have, smooth, firmly 
adherent and substantially free from brush marks or sagging  or wrinkling, and shall in no way be 
inferior as regards finish to a film prepared in the same way and the same time from the approved 
reference sample.  
 
5.9 The tables below (table 1 to table 7) shows the specified requirements of  class (premium, 
medium ) of emulsion paints for exterior  and interior /exterior  use for white colour and different 
base type, as well as imported paints which are pre -coloured by country of origin according to 
colour shade and base type specified by customer.  
   
8 
 Table (1): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
(Premium – Matt)  صنف ممتاز– مطفأ    
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض 
White)  Test Description  
1.2 1.2 1.32 1.32 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
10 10 10 10 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
0-5 0-5 0-5 0-5 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
30 30 30 30 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 -4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum )  
3  3  3  3  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 -4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum)   
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Minimum 1500 cycles)  
50 50 50 50 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4  (for 4 hrs.)  
pass pass pass pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3 (at 360 hrs.)  
40-57 40-57 45-57 45-57 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 Volatile Organic Compound** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  
 
*For any test sample the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for interior exterior use the VOC test is applied  
   
9 
  
Table (2): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Premium – Silk             صنف ممتاز– ربع لمعة   (  
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض 
White)  Test Description  
1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
5 5 5 5 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
45 45 45 45 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 - 4 
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum )  
4  4  4  4  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 - 4 
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Minimum 1500 cycles)  
50 50 50 50 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4(for 4 hrs.) 
Pass Pass Pass Pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3 (at 360 hrs.)  
40-55 40-55 45-55 45-55 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 Volatile Organic Compound ** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  *For any test sample the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for interior exterior use the VOC test is applied  
   
10 
 Table (3): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
(Premium – Semi Gloss  صنف ممتاز– نص لمعة   (   
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض  
White)  Test Description  
1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
5 5 5 5 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
15-40 15-40 15-40 15-40 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
60 60 60  60 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum ) 
5  5  5  5  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Minimum 1500 cycles)  
30 30 30 30 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4(for 4 hrs.)  
pass pass pass pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3(at 360 hrs.)  
40-50 40-50 40-50 40-50 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 Volatile Organic Compound ** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  
*For any test sample the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for  interior exterior use the VOC test is applied  
   
11 
 Table (4): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
(Premium - Gloss  صنف ممتاز– لمعة  (  
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض  
White)  Test Description  
1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
5 5 5 5 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
55 55 55 55 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
(Minimum)  
60 60 60 60 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µm  
 (Maximum)  
5  5  5  5  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µm  
 (Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µm  
 (Minimum 1500 cycles)  
30 30 30 30 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4(for 4 hrs.)  
pass pass pass pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3 (at 360 hrs.)  
40-50 40-50 40-50 40-50 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 
 Volatile Organic Compound ** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  
*For any test sample  the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for interior exterior use the VOC test is applied 
   
12 
 Table (5): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Medium – Matt)    متوسط- مطفأ  
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض 
White)  Test Description  
1.32 1.32 1.32 1.32 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
10 10 10 10 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
0-5 0-5 0-5 0-5 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
30 30 30 30 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum )  
3  3  3  3  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Minimum 1200 cycles)  
50 50 50 50 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4(for 4 hrs.)  
Pass pass pass pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3 (at 360 hrs.) 
40-57 40-57 45-57 45-57 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 Volatile Organic Compound ** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  
*For any test sample  the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for interior exterior use the VOC test is applied 
   
13 
 Table (6): Exterior  or Interior  Exterior  Emulsion Paints  
White colour/ and base of all types  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Medium –Silk)     متوسط– ربع لمعة     
أساس جـ  
Base C)  أساس ب  
Base B)  أساس أ  
Base A)  اللون الأبيض 
White)  Test Description  
1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Specific gravity  
ISO 2811 -1  
(Minimum)  
NA 80 90 90 Opacity - % 
ISO 6504 -3  
(Minimum)  
5 5 5 5 Viscosity - poise  
 ISO 2884 -2 
(Minimum)  
5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 Gloss  
ISO 2813 ) at angle 60°) 
45 45 45 45 Surface Dry Time - Minutes  
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum ) 
4  4  4  4  Full Dry / Dry to hardness - Hrs. 
ISO 9117 - 4  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Maximum)  
pass pass pass pass Scrub resistance *  
ASTM D2486  
at film thickness 100 µ m 
 (Minimum 1200 cycles)  
50 50 50 50 Fineness of Grind - Micron  
ISO 1524  
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Alkali Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4 (for 2 hrs.)  
0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 Lead - wt.%  
ISO 3856 -1 
(Maximum)  
Pass Pass Pass Pass Water Resistance  
ISO 2812 -4(for 4 hrs.)  
pass pass pass pass Artificial weathering  
ISO 16474 -3 (at 360 hrs.)  
40-55 40-55 40-55 40-55 Non Volatile Material - wt.%  
ISO 3251  
50 50 50 50 Volatile Organic Compound ** - g/L 
ISO 11890 -1/ ISO 11890 -2 
(Maximum)  
*For any test sample  the exposed area should not exceed (Maximum 5mm) along the same direction of the brush  mark.  
**In case the paint is indicated by the customer for interior exterior use the VOC test is applied 
   
14 
 6) Sampling:  
6.1 A sample representing the paint consignment of not less than 4 litres or 1 gallon shall be taken 
according to the method stipulated under clause 2.4  
6.2 The samples shall be prepared for testing according to clause 2.1 & 2.2  
 
7) Packing:  
7.1 The paints shall be pac ked in suitable, clean, dry and tightly sealed containers, and inactive to 
the contents whereby the free space from the full level is 15% as a maximum.  
7.2 A variation in the content by ±2% shall be allowed.  
 
8) Labelling:  
The following details shall be placed  on each container in Arabic language or in Arabic and English 
languages, in a manner difficult to be removed.  
8.1 Name and type of the paint, its classification according to clause 3 and the type of the base used 
whether A, B, or C for each class.  
8.2 Name of t he manufacturer or its trademark.  
8.3 Country of origin  
8.4 If the paints are manufactured according to a license, this detail shall be stated.  
8.5 Production batch number  
8.6 Production date (month, year), expiry date or validity period from the production date.  
8.7 Net vol ume in litres or its equivalent.  
8.8 Method of use and maximum limit for the dilution percentage whereby the paint retains its 
properties.  
8.9 Any warning details relevant to this paint (example: may cause allergy upon contacting the skin)  
8.10 Warning: it is prohibi ted to use containers to store foodstuff  
8.11 Other clarification details (for example storage conditions, it should be stored in the shade, as 
per the technical and safety data sheet of the substance TDS).  
8.12 Place the international logo of the United Nations Pr ogram which demonstrates hazard of paint.  
8.13 Indicate whether the product conforms with this specification standard.  
  
 
 
 
   
15 
 الجهات التي اشتركت في وضع المواصفات القياسية 
 
-الهيئة العامة للصناعة  - إدارة المواصفات والمقاييس – إدارة مختبرات الجودة.  
-وزارة الأشغال  العامة/ المركز الحكومي للأبحاث والبناء.  
-المؤسسة العامة للرعاية السكنية.  
-شركة أصباغ جي تي سي المحدودة  GTC. 
-أصباغ ناشونال NATIONAL 
-شركة همبل للأصباغ البحرية – الكويت HEMPEL. 
-شركة سايبس  SIPES. 
-شركة أصباغ ام بي سي MPC 
-شركة أصباغ كي بي سي KPC 
-شركة أصبا غ جوتن JOTUN