هيئة التقييس لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية  
GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GSO 01/DS 2-----/2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
إعداد 
 اللجنة الفنية الخليجية لمواصفات قطاع المنتجات الكيميائية والغزل والنسيج  
 
Prepared by  
 GSO Technical gulf committee  of Chemical and Textile products 
Standards   
 
 
 
ICS:  
 
This document is a draft GSO Standard circulated for comments. It is, therefore, 
subject to alteration and modification and may not b referred to as a GSO 
Standard until approved by GSO .  الدهانات و الورنيشات- الدهانات المستحلبة  
للأعمال الداخلية والخارجية   
Emulsion Paints for Interior and Exterior 
Uses  
 0 
  
 
 
مـقدمــة  
هيئة التقييس لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية هيئة إقليمية تضم في عضويتها الأجهزة الوطنية 
للمواصفات و المقاييس في دول الخليج العربية، و من مهام الهيئة إعداد المواصفات القياسية الخليجية بواسطة 
لجان فنية متخصصة. 
وقد قامت هيئة التقييس لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية ضمن برنامج عمل اللجنة الفنية رقم  "1 "
"اللجنة الفنية الخليجية لقطاع مواصفات المنتجات الكيميائية والغزل والنسيج " بإعداد المواصفة القياسيه الخليجية 
رقم GSO ----/2013   "الدهانات و الورنيشات - الدهانات المستحلبة  للأعمال الداخلية والخارجية " من قبل 
سلطنة عمان ، و قد تم إعداد المشروع باللغتين العربية والانجليزية بعد إستعراض المواصفات القياسية العربية و 
الأجنبية و الدولية و المؤلفات المرجعية ذات الصلة.  
وقد اعتمدت هذه المواصفة كمواصفة ( قياسية/ لائحة فنية) خليجية في إجتماع إدارة الهيئة رقم ( ) الذ ي عقد 
بتارخ..../..../..... هـ، الموافق ...../...../.....م.  
 
Foreword  
 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional Organization which  consists of 
the National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO main functions is 
to issue Gulf Standa rds /Technical regulation through specialized technical committees 
(TCs).  
 
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No.:1 " Technical gulf committee 
of Chemical and Textile products Standards  " has prepared the Gulf Standard No. : -----
/2013 " Paints  and Varnishes - Emulsion Paints for Interior and Exterior Uses  " by 
(Sultanate of Oman ). The draft has been prepared in both Arabic and English language 
based on relevant ADMO, International and National foreign standards and references.  
 
This standard ha s been approved as Gulf (Standard / Technical Regulation) by GSO 
Board of Directors  in its meeting No..../....  …….held on    /    /   /  H ,  /    /   G  
 
 
 
 1 
 Paints and Varnishes -Emulsion Paints  
 for Interior and Exterior Uses  
 
 
1 –   SCOPE AND FIELD OF A PPLICATION  : 
 
This Gulf Standard specifies performance requirements and appropriate methods of test for 
emulsion paints for interior and exterior use applied by brush, roller or spray  techniques.   It 
covers mat, gloss  and semi  gloss emulsion paints which c an be applied to non -metallic 
substances classified  into the following three types cove ring different circumstances where   
the paint may be applied.  
A -  for interior/exterior gloss and semi -gloss  
B -  for   interior/exterior mat emulsion paints    
C -  for interior mat emulsion paints  
 
It also specifies requirements for the marking of containers which may be of a range of 
nominal capacities.  The exterior paints can be considering  as                                                                                                         
interior paints.  
 
2-     COMPLEMENTRY REFERNCES  : 
  
2.1  Gulf  International  Standard GSO ISO 15528  paints and varnishes and raw materials for 
paints   and varnishes -sampling    
2.2 Gulf International  Standard GSO  ISO 1513  paints and varnishes examination and 
preparation of sampl ing for testing.  
2.3 Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 3 251  “Paints,  varnishes  and plastics -Determination  
of non- volatile - matter  content ”. 
2.4 International Standard  ISO 1524  “Paints, varnishes  and printing inks -- Determination of 
fineness of grind "  
2.5 Gulf International Standard  GSO  ISO 3668  "Paints  and varnishes - Visual comparison of  the 
color  of  paints"   
2.6 Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 3856  -1 “paints and varnishes – determinati on of " 
soluble " metal content – part1: determination of lead content - flame atomic absorption 
spectrometric  method and dithizone spectrophotometric method ”. 
2.7 Gulf Standard GSO 494  “ Method of tests for Paints and Varnishes -Determination of drying 
time (until  hardness) ". 
2.8       International Standard ISO 2812 -2  " Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to 
liquids -part 2: water immersion method"  
2.9      Gulf International  Standard GSO  ISO 3248   " Paints  and varnishes - Determination of  the 
effect of  heat"  
2.10 Gulf  Standard  GSO 1236    “ Method of tests for Paints  and Varnishes -Determination of 
alkali resistance (immersion  test)”. 
2.11 Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 11341   " Paints  and Varnishes -Artificial weathering 
and exposure to artificial radiation – Exposure to filtered xenon -arc radiation"  
2.12 Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 2810   " Paints  and Varnishes -Natural weathering of 
coatings - Exposure and assessment ".  
2.13    Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 11890 -1 "  Paints and varnishes - Determination of 
volatile organic compound (VOC) content -- Part 1: Difference method "  
2.14    American Standard  ASTM D 2486  " Method of test of scrub resistance for wall paints "  2 
 2.15   International Standard ISO 2814  " Paints and var nishes -- Comparison of contrast ratio 
(hiding power) of paints of the same type and colour " .  
2.16     International Standard ISO 11507  " Paints and varnishes -- Exposure of coatings to artificial 
weathering -- Exposure to fluorescent UV lamps and water " 
2.17     International Standard ISO 2813  " Paints and varnishes -- Determination of specular gloss of 
non-metallic paint films at 20 degrees, 60 degrees and 85 degrees "  
 
 
 
 
3 –     DEFINITIONS  : 
 
 
3.1 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 compound are added as 
stabilizers of their power to keep  the droplets dispersed.  
 
3.2 Emulsion for paint  : 
 
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 s aid to be stable and certain compound are added as stabilizers 
because of their power to keep the droplet dispersed.  
 
3.3 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.  
 
3.4 Binder : 
 
The non-volatile portion of the  “Vehicle” o f 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.  
 
3.5 Thinner : 
 
Volatile liquids added to paints or varnishes to fa cilitate application and to aid penetration by 
lowering gather 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 small 
proportion of non -volatile material may be used.  
 
3.6 Pigment :  
 
The insoluble dispersed particles in a paint which give the dried film its characteristic 
properties of colour and opacity.  
 3 
 3.7 Opacity : 
 
The ability  of a coat of paint to obscure (hide) an underlying surface.  
 
3.8 Drying time : 
 
The time which elapses between the application of a coat of paint and the attainment of a 
specified dry state.  
 
 
3.9 Lifting : 
 
Failure caused by the s welling of a dry film of paint or varnish when another coat is applied 
over it an usually manifested by wrinkled appearance.  
 
 
4 –     CHARACTERISTICS AND REQUIREMENTS  : 
 
4.1 Composition : 
 
The emulsion paint shall consist of pigments with suitable extender s 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 to satisfy the 
requirements of this standard.  
 
4.2  Condition in cont ainer : 
 
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 wi th paddle to produce 
smooth homogeneous emulsion paints, free from persistent foam. The material shall have no 
irritating of offensive odor.  
 
4.3 Non-volatile content : 
 
The percent of non -volatile content of the gloss and semi – gloss emulsion paint shall not be 
less than 40% by weight  and the percent of non -volatile content of the mat emulsion paint 
shall not be less than 50% by weight .  
 
4.4 Consistency : 
 
The paint shall be in such a condition that stirring readily produces a smooth uniform 
mixture of goo d consistency. It shall have a  minimum 80 KU viscosity for matt emulsion 
paints and 70-120 KU viscosity for gloss and semi -gloss  emulsion paints at 25 ○C.  
 
4.5 Colour  : 
 
The colour of the paint shall be close to the approved reference sample.  
 
 
 4 
 4.6 Thinni ng: 
 
The paint shall have tendency to mix readily with water if necessary to a smooth and 
homogeneous state with minimum amount of foaming. Foaming if any shall dissipate 
rapidly.  
 
4.7 Fineness of grind : 
 
The particle size of the paint shall be less  than 50 µm. 
 
4.8 Lead content : 
 
The lead content shall not exceed 0.06% of the total mass of the paint.  
 
4.9 Application properties : 
 
The material after recommended thinning shall be suitable for application by brush, spray, or 
roller. The resulting paint film shall not show pigment flocculation, foaming, coarseness or 
other undesirable  characteristics. The paint film shall also produce no lifting, softening or 
any other defects upon recoating of a previously painted surface after 2 hours of air drying . 
 
4.10 Drying time : 
 
- The paint shall have surface dryi ng time not more than 30minutes  f or matt emulsion 
paints and not more  than  1 hour  for gloss and semi -gloss  emulsion paints . 
- The paint shall become hard -dry in a time not more than 3 hours for matt  emulsion pai nts  
and not more than 5 hours for gloss and semi -gloss  emulsion paints (wet film thickness of 
100 µm on glass panel ) under temperature of 2 5 + 1 °C and humidity of 60 - 70% with air 
circulation and without exposing to the s un. 
 
4.11 Appearance of dried fi lm (finish) : 
 
When a film of the paint has dried for the specified d rying  period  in 4.10, 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.  
 
4.12 Scrub resistance : 
 
The paint film coating the panel test shall not worn when exposed  to :  
- 1500 scrub cycles for type  A  for interior/exterior gloss and sem i-gloss  
- 800 sc rub cycles for type  B  for   interior/exterior mat emulsion paints    
- 400 scrub cycles for type  C  for interior mat emulsion paints  
 
4.13 Water resistance : 
 
The paint film shall show good adhesion hardness and shall show no wrinkling  
re-emulsification or  other changes  after 2 hours for type A and 16 hours for type B  
 when water resistance test is carried ou t. 
 
 5 
 4.14  Salt Water resistance : 
 
The paint film shall show good adhesion hardness and shall show no wrinkling  
re-emulsification or other changes aft er 2 hours for type A and 16 hours for type B 
 when salt water resistance test is carried out.  
 
4.15 Alkali resistance  (white and pastel shades ): 
 
The paint film shall show no change in hue, lightness, gloss and any other surface defects  
after 16 hours  when alkali resistance test is carried out.  
 
 
4.16 Heat stability : 
 
The viscosity of the paint shall not change more than 5% of the original and shall show no 
coagulation flocculation or discolorations after carrying out the test of heat stability.  
 
4.17  Freezing  and melting : 
  
The paint shall not change when exposed to low temperature ( -9 oC ) for 16 hours  and 
normal temperature ( 25  + 3 oC ) for 16 hours . 
 
4.18 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.  
 
4.19 Dry opacity  (white and pastel shades) : 
 
The paint when applied shall give a minimum dry film contrast ratio at 15 0 µm bar coated 
applicator on black and white ch art paper allow to dry overnight test it on computer.  
 
Table (1)  
Dry opacity according to type and category of the paint  
 
 
                              Type of paint  
Category  Mat Semi -gloss  Gloss  
    
A 95%  >90%  >90%         
B 95% >90% >90% 
C 95% -  %             - % 
 
  
4.20 Colour  fastness to light. (for interior use only) : 
 
The paints shall show no darkening or other changes in appearance when subjected to 72 
hours exposure for direct sun or any other light  source light.  
 
  
 6 
 4.21 Durability test  (For exterior use only) : 
 
The paint film shall show no undue change, blistering, chalking, colour  fading and films 
irregularities when s ubjected to 300 hours exposure for class A and class B.  
 
4.22 Resistance to biological growth : 
 
The paint in container sha ll show no fungus growth for a period of 12 months at 4 0 ºC. 
 
 
4.23 Keeping properties : 
 
The paint when stored under normal storage conditions i.e. in shed at temperature not 
exceeding 38 + 1 ºC in the original sealed containers, shall retain properties sp ecified in  this 
standard for a period of not less than 12 months.  
 
4.24 Gloss : 
 
When a fine paint film is applied on a glass panel of ( 15  cm x 10 cm x 2 mm )  dimensions 
by a hollow  mass of 150 µm thickness or by  application  wire and let t o dry for 24 hou rs 
under  (25 ± 1) °C and humidity of  70 % , shall show a specular gloss less than 10 for mat 
emulsion  paint , 25 -40 for semi -gloss emulsion paint and more than 55 for gloss emulsion 
paints  at 60º geometry.  
 
 
5-     SAMPLING  : 
  
5.1 Take a representative s ample of the paint not less than 500 ml according to the methods 
mentioned in Gulf  International Standard GSO ISO 15528 paints and varnishes and raw 
materials for paints   and varnishes -sampling . 
5.2 Sample shall be prepared to tests according to the met hods mentioned in Gulf International 
Standard GSO ISO 1513 paints and varnishes examination and preparation of sampling for 
testing.  
 
 
6-  METHODS OF TESTING : 
 
6.1 The following test s  shall be carried out on the filled containers selected according to 
 item  5.1 after carrying out the visual examination of the labeling information.  
 
6.1.1 Determination of non -volatile content according to Gulf  International Standard GSO ISO 
3251  “Paints, varnishes and plastics -Determination  of non - volatile - matter cont ent”.   
 
6.1.2 Determination colour according to Gulf International Standard  GSO ISO 3668  "Paints and 
varnishes - Visual comparison of the color of  paints"  
6.1.3 Determination of fineness of grind according to International Standard ISO 1524 “Paints, 
varnis hes and printing inks -- Determination of fineness of grind  
6.1.4 Determination  of lead content according to Gulf  International Standard GSO ISO 3856 -1 
“paints and varnishes – determination of " soluble " metal content – part1: determination of 
lead cont ent - flame atomic absorption spectrometric method and dithizone 
spectrophotometric method”.  7 
  
6.1.5 Determination of drying time according to Gulf Standard GSO 494  “ Method of tests for 
Paints and Varnishes -Determination of drying time (until hardness)".  
 
6.1.6 Determination of scrub resistance according to ASTM D 2486  " Me thod of test of scrub 
resistance for wall paints "   
 
6.1.7 Determination of water  resistance according to  the International Standard ISO 2812 -2  " 
Paints and varnishes - Determination o f resistance to liquids -part 2 ".  
 
6.1.8 Determination of alkali resistance according to Gulf  Standard GSO 1236   “ Method of tests 
for Paints and Varnishes -Determination of alkali resistance (immersion test)”.  
 
6.1.9 Determination of heat stability accordi ng to Gulf International Standard GSO  ISO 3248  " 
Paints and varnishes - Determination of the effect of heat"  
 
6.1.10 Determination of dry opacity according to   International Standard ISO 2814  " Paints and 
varnishes -- Comparison of contrast ratio (hiding p ower) of paints of the same type and 
colour " .  
 
6.1.11 Determination of colour fastness to light according to Gulf  International Standard GSO  ISO 
11341 " Paints and Varnishes -Artificial weathering and exposure to artificial radiation – 
Exposure to filter ed xenon -arc radiation" . 
6.1.12  Determination of durability according to International Standard ISO 11507  " Paints and 
varnishes -- Exposure of coatings to artificial weathering -- Exposure to fluorescent UV 
lamps and water "  
6.1.13 determination of the ap parent brightness according to International Standard ISO 2813 " 
Paints and varnishes -- Determination of specular gloss of non -metallic paint films at 20 
degrees, 60 degrees and 85 degrees "  
 
 
 
7-   PACKING  : 
 
The paints shall be packed in suitable, clean  air-tight containers, the containers shall be filled 
as to have an ullage for 15% maximum.  
 The allowed tolerance should be + 2 % of the content.  
 
 
8-     LABELLING:  
 
Each container shall be legibly and indelibly marked in Arabic or Arabic and English  by the 
following information:  
 
8.1 The name and the type of the paint. A or B or C.  as classified . 
8.2 The name of the manufacturer or his trade mark.  
8.3 Country of origin.  
8.4 The colour of the paint should be shown on the container.  
8.5 If the paints manuf acture is under licence it should be mentioned.  
8.6 Batch number . 
8.7 Date of production (month -year).  8 
 8.8 Volume in litre of the paint in the container.  
8.9 The word “Un whashable” for paints with scrub resistance less than 400 scrub         
cycles.  
8.10  Application instruction.  
8.11  Any warning information concerning the paint.  
8.12 Warning:   Do not use this container for keeping food stuff.  
 
 
9-      ACCEPTABNCE AND REJECTIONS  : 
 
9.1 Each consignment of paints shall be accompanied with a certificate st ating its 
 compliance with this standard.  
9.2 In case of non -compliance of the tested sample with any of the following items of this 
 standards the consignment shall be rejected.  
 
-    CONSISTENCY . 
-    FINENESS . 
-    SCRUB RESISTANCE . 
-    DRY OPACITY .  
-    PACKING . 
 
9.3 In this case of one or more sample failed to pass one or more of the tests other than those in 
item 9.2 a second sample, double in volume of the first one, shall be withdrawn  from, the 
same come consignment and subjected to all the tests . The consignment shall be considered 
complying when the second sample pass all the requirement shall be considered complying 
when the second sample pass all the required tests otherwise the consignment shall be 
considered not complying.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
  
 
المصطلحـات الفنيــةTECHNICAL TERMS  
اخضاب                                                    Pigme nts   
 اعتـام                                             Obscure 
 ألـواح                                          Siding  
 إندماج الدقائق المترسبة                                                                                         Floculation  
 بـري                                          Worn   
 تحبــب                                                                                                     Blistering   
 تخثـر                                  Livering    
 تخثـر                                                                                           Coagulation   
 تجفيـف                               Thinning  
 تدرج اللون                                                                                           Hue  
 تشتيــت                                    Dispersible  
 تقشيــر                                                                            Flaking 
 تقشيــر                                         Chipping 
 تقطــع                                                               Lifting  
 تلاشـي                                  Dissipate   
 خشونـة                                                                           Coarseness  
 دهـان مباشر                                        Substantially  
 دهـان مستحلب                                      Emulsion paint  
 سائل حمل الدهان                               Vehicle  
 غير ملائم                               Undue   
 غير منتظم                              Irregularities  
 فســاد                               Putrefaction                   
 كريهـة                               Offensive 
 كشـط                                Skinning 
لا انفاذية (إعتام                              Opacity  
 لا يمتزج                             Immiscible  
 لون باهـت                                                                                                     Fading  
 متعرج -ملتوي                                                                                                Wrinkled  
 مطفأ اللمعة                                                                                            Matt  
 مقلــب                               Paddle  
 ملاط الجبس                                                                       Stucco  10 
  مهيـج                             Irritating  
 مواد باسطة                                                    Extenders  
 
المـــراجع REFERENCES 
 
- المواصفة القياسية السعودية                 - Saudi Arabian Standard 
   رقم 074/ 2442                                                                     No. 470/ 2002   
  " الدهانات والورنيشات - الدهانات المستحلبة"       Paints and varnishes -Emulsion Paints”  
  الهيئة العربية السعودية للمواصفات والمقاييس      Saudi Arabian Sta ndards Organization  
- المواصفة القياسية الكويتية                         - Kuwaiti Standard 
  رقم 11/ 1171                                                                         No. 19/1971  
 "الأصباغ  (الدهانات) المستحلبة                         Emulsion paints for interior and 
  للأعمال الداخلية والخارجية                               exterior use”  
  وزارة التجارة والصناعة                               Ministry of Commerce and Industry  
  "الدهانات المائية للاستعمالات الخارجية"     “Water paints and distemper for exterior use” 
- المواصفات القياسية الهندية                                        - Indian Standard 
* رقم 1011 جـ1 ، جـ2/ 1170                           *No. 5411 P1 /1974 & P2/197 2  
   "الدهانات البلاستيكية المستحلبة                   Plastic emulsion paint” 
  * رقم 1141/ 1191                                                              * No. 1303/1963  
    "معجم المصطلحات ذات العلاقة بالدهانات       Glossary of terms relating to paints” 
    مكتب المواصفات الهندية              Bureau of Indian Standards