G/TBT/N/USA/864  
 
8 November 2013  
(13-6196)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION 
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6 
 
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   State of 
New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services 
2. Agency responsible:  State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services 
[882] 
Name and address (including telephon e and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above :    
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [   ], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:  [ X ] 3.2 
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Consumer 
products; Domestic safety (ICS 13.120), Products of the chemical industry (ICS 71.100).  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Volatile Organic 
Compound (VOC) Limits fo r Consumer Products (4 pages, in English). 
6. Description of content:  The existing rules, Env-A 4100, reduce emissions of volatile 
organic compounds (VOCs) by establishing caps on the VOC content of various consumer 
products. The rules are proposed to be readopted because they are scheduled to expire 
on September 24, 2013. As a result of filing  this Notice prior to the expiration of the 
existing rules, the existing rules will co ntinue in effect as provided in RSA 541-
A:14-a, subject to the conditions specified therein.  Revisions are proposed in 
accordance with revisions to the Ozone Tran sport Commission (OTC) Model Rules to add 
definitions, add consumer product categories, change some existing VOC limits, add new VOC limits for some products, and add specific requirements for paint thinner and 
multipurpose solvents. (A description of the OTC is provided in 6(b), below.)  
Specifically, existing VOC limits are proposed to be increased for construction, panel, and 
floor covering adhesives and for structural waterproof adhesives, and existing VOC limits 
are proposed to be decreased for general purpose adhesives, carburetor or fuel-injection 
air intake cleaners, aerosol engine degreasers, floor polishes / waxes (other than wood 
floor wax), aerosol general purpose cleaners , aerosol general purpose degreasers, and 
laundry starch / sizing / fabric finish products. Also, VOC limits are proposed to be added 
for adhesive removers, dual purpose air fres hener/disinfectants (aerosol), anti-static 
products. automotive windshield cleaner, non-aerosol bathroom and tile cleaner, brake cleaner, disinfectant (aerosol and non-aerosol), electrical cleaner, electronic cleaner, 
fabric fresheners (aerosol and non-aerosol), footwear or leather care products, graffiti 
remover (aerosol and non-aerosol). hair styling products. multi-purpose solvent paint thinner; sanitizer (aerosol and non-aerosol), shaving gel, aerosol temporary hair color, 
toilet/urinal care products (aerosol and non-aerosol), and wood cleaner (aerosol and 
non-aerosol). 
A provision for sell-through of products manufactured prior to the effective date is 
proposed to be added so that existing stock can be sold out. G/TBT/N/USA/864 
 
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  The proposed rules also would prohibit the sale or manufacture of any multi-purpose 
solvent or paint thinner that contains any methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, or trichloroethylene, subject to allowances for sell through and for impurities in a combined 
amount equal to or less than 0.01 percent by weight. 
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Protection of the environment; Prev ention of deceptive practices and 
consumer protection 
8. Relevant documents:   New Hampshire Rulemaking Register, 19 Septemember 2013 - 
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules /register/2013/september-19-13.pdf  
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:    To be determined To be determined 
10. Final date for comments:  24 October 2013 
11. Text available from:  National enquiry point [  ], or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresse s, if available of the other body:   
http://www.gencourt .state.nh.us/rules /register/2013/sept ember-19-13.pdf