7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 1

4.0 Adhesives & Sealants 

 4.1 Applicability 

 4.1.1 Except as provided in 4.4 of this regulation, 4.0 of this regulation 

applies to any person who, on or after May 1, 2009, sells, supplies for sale, offers 

for sale or manufactures for sale in the State of Delaware any adhesive, sealant, 

adhesive primer or sealant primer for use in the State of Delaware. 

4.1.2 Except as provided in 4.4 of this regulation, 4.0 of this regulation 

also applies to any person who uses or applies any adhesive, sealant, adhesive 

primer or sealant primer within the State of Delaware. 

 4.2 Definitions 

Terms used but not defined in 4.0 of this regulation shall have the meaning given 

them in 7 DE Admin Code 1101 or the CAA, as amended in 1990, in that order of 

priority. 

 “Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene welding adhesive” or “ABS welding 

adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the manufacturer to weld 

acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene pipe, which is made by reacting monomers of 

acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. 

 “Adhesive” means any chemical substance that is applied for the purpose of 

bonding two surfaces together by other than mechanical means. 

 “Adhesive primer” means any product intended by the manufacturer for 

application to a substrate, prior to the application of an adhesive, to provide a 

bonding surface. 

 “Aerospace component” means the fabricated part, assembly of parts or 

completed unit of any aircraft, helicopter, missile, or space vehicle, including 

passenger safety equipment. 

 “Aerosol adhesive” means an adhesive packaged as an aerosol product in 

which the spray mechanism is permanently housed in a non-refillable can 

designed for handheld application without the need for ancillary hoses or spray 

equipment. 

 “Architectural sealant or sealant primer” means any sealant or sealant 

primer intended by the manufacturer to be applied to stationary structures, 

including mobile homes, and their appurtenances. Appurtenances to an 

architectural structure include, but are not limited to: hand railings, cabinets, 

bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fences, rain gutters and downspouts, and windows. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 2

 “Automotive glass adhesive primer” means an adhesive primer labeled by 

the manufacturer to be applied to automotive glass prior to installation of the glass 

using an adhesive/sealant. This primer improves the adhesion to pinch weld and 

blocks ultraviolet light. 

 “CARB” means the California Air Resources Board. 

 “Ceramic tile installation adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in the installation of ceramic tiles. 

 “Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride plastic” or “CPVC plastic” means a 

polymer of the vinyl chloride monomer that contains 67% chlorine and is normally 

identified with a CPVC marking. 

 “Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride welding adhesive” or “CPVC welding 

adhesive” means an adhesive labeled for welding of chlorinated polyvinyl 

chloride plastic. 

 “Cleanup solvent” means a VOC-containing material used to remove a 

loosely held uncured (i.e., not dry to the touch) adhesive or sealant from a 

substrate, or to clean equipment used in applying an adhesive or sealant. 

 “Computer diskette jacket manufacturing adhesive” means any adhesive 

intended by the manufacturer to glue the fold-over flaps to the body of a vinyl 

computer diskette jacket. 

 "Contact bond adhesive" means an adhesive that: (1) is designed for 

application to both surfaces to be bonded together, and (2) is allowed to dry 

before the two surfaces are placed in contact with each other, and (3) forms an 

immediate bond that is impossible, or difficult, to reposition after both adhesivecoated surfaces are placed in contact with each other, and (4) does not need 

sustained pressure or clamping of surfaces after the adhesive-coated surfaces 

have been brought together using sufficient momentary pressure to establish full 

contact between both surfaces. Contact bond adhesive does not include rubber 

cements that are primarily intended for use on paper substrates. Contact bond 

adhesive also does not include vulcanizing fluids that are designed and labeled 

for tire repair only. 

 “Cove base” means a flooring trim unit, generally made of vinyl or rubber, 

having a concave radius on one edge and a convex radius on the opposite edge 

that is used in forming a junction between the bottom wall course and the floor or 

to form an inside corner. 

 “Cove base installation adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer to be used for the installation of cove base or wall base on a wall or 

vertical surface at floor level. 

 “Cyanoacrylate adhesive” means any adhesive with a cyanoacrylate content 

of at least 95% by weight. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 3

 “Dry wall installation” means the installation of gypsum dry wall to studs or 

solid surfaces using an adhesive formulated for that purpose. 

 “Exempt compound” means a compound identified as exempt under the 

definition of volatile organic compound (VOC) in 7 DE Admin Code 1101. 

 “Flexible vinyl” means non-rigid polyvinyl chloride plastic with at least five 

percent by weight plasticizer content. 

 “Fiberglass” means a material consisting of extremely fine glass fibers. 

 “Indoor floor covering installation adhesive” means any adhesive intended 

by the manufacturer for use in the installation of wood flooring, carpet, resilient 

tile, vinyl tile, vinyl backed carpet, resilient sheet and roll or artificial grass. 

Adhesives used to install ceramic tile and perimeter bonded sheet flooring with 

vinyl backing onto a non-porous substrate, such as flexible vinyl, are excluded 

from this category. 

 “Laminate” means a product made by bonding together two or more layers of 

material. 

 “Low-solids adhesive, sealant or primer” means any product that contains 

120 grams or less of solids per liter of material. 

 “Marine deck sealant” or “marine deck sealant primer” means any sealant 

or sealant primer labeled for application to wooden marine decks. 

 “Medical equipment manufacturing” means the manufacture of medical 

devices, such as, but not limited to, catheters, heart valves, blood cardioplegia 

machines, tracheostomy tubes, blood oxygenators, and cardiatory reservoirs. 

 “Metal to urethane/rubber molding or casting adhesive” means any 

adhesive intended by the manufacturer to bond metal to high density or 

elastomeric urethane or molded rubber materials, in heater molding or casting 

processes, to fabricate products such as rollers for computer printers or other 

paper handling equipment. 

 “Multipurpose construction adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in the installation or repair of various construction materials, 

including but not limited to drywall, subfloor, panel, fiberglass reinforced plastic 

(FRP), ceiling tile and acoustical tile. 

 “Nonmembrane roof installation/repair adhesive” means any adhesive 

intended by the manufacturer for use in the installation or repair of nonmembrane 

roofs and that is not intended for the installation of prefabricated single-ply flexible 

roofing membrane, including, but not limited to, plastic or asphalt roof cement, 

asphalt roof coating and cold application cement. 

 “Outdoor floor covering installation adhesive” means any adhesive 

intended by the manufacturer for use in the installation of floor covering that is not 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 4

in an enclosure and that is exposed to ambient weather conditions during normal 

use. 

 

 “Panel installation” means the installation of plywood, pre-decorated 

hardboard (or tileboard), fiberglass reinforced plastic, and similar pre-decorated or 

non-decorated panels to studs or solid surfaces using an adhesive formulated for 

that purpose. 

 “Perimeter bonded sheet flooring installation” means the installation of 

sheet flooring with vinyl backing onto a nonporous substrate using an adhesive 

designed to be applied only to a strip of up to four inches wide around the 

perimeter of the sheet flooring. 

 “Plastic cement welding adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use to dissolve the surface of plastic to form a bond between 

mating surfaces. 

 

 “Plastic cement welding adhesive primer” means any primer intended by 

the manufacturer for use to prepare plastic substrates prior to bonding or welding. 

 “Plastic foam” means foam constructed of plastics. 

 “Plasticizer” means a material, such as a high boiling point organic solvent, that is 

incorporated into a vinyl to increase its flexibility, workability, or distensibility, as 

determined by ASTM Method D1045-95 (see 4.6.5 of this regulation). 

 “Plastics” means synthetic materials chemically formed by the polymerization 

of organic (carbon-based) substances. Plastics are usually compounded with 

modifiers, extenders, and/or reinforcers and are capable of being molded, 

extruded, cast into various shapes and films or drawn into filaments. 

 “Polyvinyl chloride plastic” or “PVC plastic” means a polymer of the 

chlorinated vinyl monomer that contains 57% chlorine. 

 “Polyvinyl chloride welding adhesive” or “PVC welding adhesive” means 

any adhesive intended by the manufacturer for use in the welding of PVC plastic 

pipe. 

 “Porous material” means a substance that has tiny openings, often 

microscopic, in which fluids may be absorbed or discharged, including, but not 

limited to, wood, paper and corrugated paperboard. 

 “Propellant” means a fluid under pressure that expels the contents of a 

container when a valve is opened. 

 “Reactive diluent” means a liquid that is a reactive organic compound during 

application and one in that, through chemical and/or physical reactions, such as 

polymerization, twenty (20) percent or more of the reactive organic compound 

becomes an integral part of a finished material. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 5

 “Roadway sealant” means any sealant intended by the manufacturer for 

application to public streets, highways and other surfaces, including but not limited 

to curbs, berms, driveways and parking lots. 

 “Rubber” means any natural or manmade rubber substrate, including but not 

limited to, styrene-butadiene rubber, polychloroprene (neoprene), butyl rubber, 

nitrile rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene and ethylene-propylene-diene 

terpolymer. 

 “SCAQMD” means the South Coast Air Quality Management District, a part of 

the California Air Resources Board, which is responsible for the regulation of air 

quality in the State of California. 

 “Sealant primer” means any product intended by the manufacturer for 

application to a substrate, prior to the application of a sealant, to enhance the 

bonding surface. 

 “Sealant” means any material with adhesive properties that is formulated 

primarily to fill, seal, waterproof or weatherproof gaps or joints between two 

surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks. 

 “Sheet-applied rubber installation” means the process of applying sheet 

rubber liners by hand to metal or plastic substrates to protect the underlying 

substrate from corrosion or abrasion. These operations also include laminating 

sheet rubber to fabric by hand. 

 “Single-ply roof membrane” means a prefabricated single sheet of rubber, 

normally ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, that is field applied to a building 

roof using one layer of membrane material. 

 “Single-ply roof membrane installation and repair adhesive” means any 

adhesive labeled for use in the installation or repair of single-ply roof membrane. 

Installation includes, as a minimum, attaching the edge of the membrane to the 

edge of the roof and applying flashings to vents, pipes and ducts that protrude 

through the membrane. Repair includes gluing the edges of torn membrane 

together, attaching a patch over a hole and reapplying flashings to vents, pipes or 

ducts installed through the membrane. 

 “Single-ply roof membrane adhesive primer” means any primer labeled for 

use to clean and promote adhesion of the single-ply roof membrane seams or 

splices prior to bonding. 

 “Single-ply roof membrane sealant” means any sealant labeled for 

application to single-ply roof membrane. 

 “Solvent” means organic compounds that are used as diluents, thinners, 

dissolvers, viscosity reducers, cleaning agents or other related uses. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 6

 “Structural glazing adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer to apply glass, ceramic, metal, stone or composite panels to exterior 

building frames. 

 “Subfloor installation” means the installation of subflooring material over 

floor joists, including the construction of any load bearing joists. Subflooring is 

covered by a finish surface material. 

 “Surface preparation solvent” means a solvent used to remove dirt, oil and 

other contaminants from a substrate prior to the application of a primer, adhesive 

or sealant. 

 “Thin metal laminating adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in bonding multiple layers of metal to metal or metal to 

plastic in the production of electronic or magnetic components in which the 

thickness of the bond line or lines is less than 0.25 mils. 

 “Tire repair” means a process that includes expanding a hole, tear, fissure or 

blemish in a tire casing by grinding or gouging, applying adhesive and filling the 

hole or crevice with rubber. 

 “Tire tread adhesive” means any adhesive intended by the manufacturer for 

application to the back of precure tread rubber and to the casing and cushion 

rubber. Tire tread adhesive may also be used to seal buffed tire casings to 

prevent oxidation while the tire is being prepared for a new tread. 

 “Traffic marking tape” means preformed reflective film intended by the 

manufacturer for application to public streets, highways and other surfaces, 

including but not limited to curbs, berms, driveways and parking lots. 

 “Traffic marking tape adhesive primer” means any primer intended by the 

manufacturer for application to surfaces prior to installation of traffic marking tape. 

 “Undersea-based weapons systems components” means the fabrication of 

parts, assembly of parts or completed units of any portion of a missile launching 

system used on undersea ships. 

 “Waterproof resorcinol glue” means a two-part resorcinol-resin-based 

adhesive designed for applications where the bond line must be resistant to 

conditions of continuous immersion in fresh or salt water. 

4.3 Requirements 

 4.3.1 Except as provided in 4.3.5 and 4.4 of this regulation, on and after 

May 1, 2009, no person shall sell, supply for sale or offer for sale in the State of 

Delaware any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer manufactured 

on or after May 1, 2009, or manufacture for sale in the State of Delaware any 

adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer with a VOC content in 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 7

excess of the applicable VOC content limits specified in Table 4-1 of this 

regulation. 

 4.3.2 Except as provided in 4.3.5 and 4.4 of this regulation, on and after 

May 1, 2009, no person shall use or apply any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer 

or sealant primer within the State of Delaware with a VOC content in excess of the 

applicable VOC content limits specified in Table 4-1 of this regulation. 

 

 4.3.3 The VOC content limits in Table 4-1 of this regulation for “Adhesives 

Applied by Substrate” shall apply as follows: 

 4.3.3.1 For any adhesive or sealant subject to a specific VOC content 

limit for such adhesive or sealant in Table 4-1 of this regulation, such 

specific limit is applicable rather than any “Adhesives Applied by 

Substrate” limit; and 

 4.3.3.2 If an adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together, 

the applicable “Adhesives Applied by Substrate” limit that provides 

for the highest VOC content shall be the limit for such use. 

 4.3.4 Any person subject to 4.0 of this regulation using a surface 

preparation solvent or a cleanup solvent shall: 

 4.3.4.1 Except as provided in 4.3.4.2 of this regulation, not use any 

surface preparation solvent containing VOCs unless the VOC 

content of such surface preparation solvent is less than 70 grams 

per liter; 

 4.3.4.2 Not use any surface preparation solvent containing VOCs in 

applying single-ply roofing unless the composite vapor pressure, 

excluding water and exempt compounds, of the surface preparation 

solvent is equal to or less than 45 mm Hg at 20 degrees Celsius; 

 4.3.4.3 Except as provided in 4.3.4.4 of this regulation, not use any 

cleanup solvent containing VOCs for the removal of adhesives, 

sealants, adhesive primers or sealant primers from surfaces unless 

the composite vapor pressure of such solvent used is less than 45 

mm Hg at 20 degrees Celsius; and 

 4.3.4.4 Not use any cleanup solvent containing VOCs for the removal 

of an adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer from the 

parts of spray application equipment, unless: 

 4.3.4.4.1 All cleaning is conducted in an enclosed cleaning 

system, or equivalent cleaning system as determined by the 

test method identified in 4.6.8 of this regulation, 

 4.3.4.4.2 Except as provided for in 4.3.4.4.3 of this regulation, 

only solvent is used with a VOC content of equal to or less 

than 70 grams of VOC per liter of material, and 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 8

 4.3.4.4.3 Parts containing dried adhesive may be soaked in a 

solvent if the composite vapor pressure of the solvent, 

excluding water and exempt compounds, is equal to or less 

than 9.5 mm Hg at 20 degrees Celsius, and the parts and 

solvent are in a closed container that remains closed except 

when adding parts to or removing parts from the container. 

 4.3.5 A person using or applying an adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or 

sealant primer subject to 4.0 of this regulation may comply with 4.3.2 and 4.3.4 of 

this regulation using add-on air pollution control equipment if such equipment 

meets the following requirements: 

 4.3.5.1 The VOC emissions from the use or application of all 

adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers or sealant primers subject to 

4.0 of this regulation are reduced by an overall capture and control 

efficiency of at least 85%, by weight; and 

 4.3.5.2 The requirements of 4.3.5.1 of this regulation, and any 

monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting that is necessary to make 

such requirements enforceable as a practicable manner, are 

included in a permit issued by the Department pursuant to 7 DE 

Admin Code 1102. 

 4.3.6 Any person using or applying adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers, 

sealant primers, surface preparation solvents or clean-up solvents subject to 4.0 

of this regulation shall store or dispose of all absorbent materials, such as cloth or 

paper, which are moistened with adhesives, sealants, primers or solvents, in nonabsorbent containers that shall be closed except when placing materials in or 

removing materials from the container. 

 4.3.7 No person shall solicit, require the use or specify the application of 

any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer, sealant primer, surface preparation or 

clean-up solvent if such use or application results in a violation of the provisions of 

4.0 of this regulation. The prohibition of 4.3.7 of this regulation shall apply to all 

written or oral contracts under which any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer, 

sealant primer, surface preparation solvents or clean-up solvent subject to 4.0 of 

this regulation is to be used at any location in the State of Delaware. 

Table 4-1. VOC Content Limits for Adhesives, Sealants, Adhesive Primers, 

Sealant Primers and Adhesives Applied by Substrate 

Adhesive, Sealant, Adhesive Primer or Sealant 

Primer Category 

VOC Content Limit 

(grams VOC per liter*) 

Adhesives 

ABS welding 400 

Ceramic tile installation 130 

Computer diskette jacket manufacturing 850 

Contact bond 250 

Cove base installation 150 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 9

Adhesive, Sealant, Adhesive Primer or Sealant 

Primer Category 

VOC Content Limit 

(grams VOC per liter*) 

CPVC welding 490 

Indoor floor covering installation 150 

Metal to urethane/rubber molding or casting 850 

Multipurpose construction 200 

Nonmembrane roof installation/repair 300 

Other plastic cement welding 510 

Outdoor floor covering installation 250 

PVC welding 510 

Single-ply roof membrane installation/repair 250 **

Structural glazing 100 

Thin metal laminating 780 

Tire retread 100 

Perimeter bonded sheet vinyl flooring 

installation 

660 

Waterproof resorcinol glue 170 

Sheet-applied rubber installation 850 

Sealants

Architectural 250 

Marine deck 760 

Nonmembrane roof installation/repair 300 

Roadway 250 

Single-ply roof membrane 450 **

Other 420 

 

Adhesive Primers 

Automotive glass 700 

Plastic cement welding 650 

Single-ply roof membrane 250 **

Traffic marking tape 150 

Other 250 

Sealant Primers 

Non-porous architectural 250 

Porous architectural 775 

Marine deck 760 

Other 750 

 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 10

Adhesive, Sealant, Adhesive Primer or Sealant 

Primer Category 

VOC Content Limit 

(grams VOC per liter*) 

Adhesive Applied by Substrate 

Flexible vinyl 250 

Fiberglass 200 

Metal 30 

Porous material 120 

Rubber 250 

Other substrates 250 

* The VOC content is determined as the weight of volatile compounds, less water 

and exempt compounds as specified pursuant to 4.6 of this regulation. 

**For 2009: June 1 through August 31; For 2010 & 2011: May 1 through 

September 30; and On and after January 1, 2012. 

4.4 Exemptions and Exceptions 

 4.4.1 The requirements of 4.0 of this regulation shall not apply to the following 

compounds: 

 4.4.1.1 Adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers or sealant primers 

being tested or evaluated in any research and development, quality 

assurance or analytical laboratory, provided records are maintained 

as required in 4.5 of this regulation; 

 4.4.1.2 Adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers and sealant primers 

that are subject to 2.0 of this regulation; 

 4.4.1.3 Adhesives and sealants that contain less than 20 grams of 

VOC per liter of adhesive or sealant, less water and less exempt 

compounds, as applied; 

 4.4.1.4 Adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers and sealant primers 

that are subject to 7 DE Admin Code 1124 

 4.4.1.5 Cyanoacrylate adhesives; and 

 4.4.1.6 Except for plastic cement welding adhesives and contact 

adhesives, any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant 

primer that is sold or supplied by the manufacturer or supplier in 

containers with a net volume of 16 fluid ounces or less, or a net 

weight of one pound or less,. 

 4.4.1.7 Contact adhesives that are sold or supplied by the 

manufacturer or supplier in containers with a net volume of one 

gallon or less. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 11

 4.4.2 The requirements of 4.0 of this regulation shall not apply to the use of 

adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers, sealant primers, surface preparation and 

cleanup solvents in the following operations: 

 4.4.2.1 Tire repair operations, provided the label of the adhesive 

states "For tire repair only;" 

 4.4.2.2 Assembly, repair and manufacture of aerospace components 

or undersea-based weapon systems components; 

4.4.2.3 Medical equipment manufacturing; 

4.4.2.4 Automobile and light duty truck original equipment 

manufacture regulated under other VOC limiting regulations 

by the State of Delaware. 

 

 4.4.3 The provisions of 4.0 of this regulation shall not apply if the total VOC 

emissions from all adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers and sealant primers 

used at the source are less than 200 pounds per calendar year, or an equivalent 

volume. Any person claiming exemption pursuant to 4.4.3 of this regulation shall 

record and maintain monthly operational records sufficient to demonstrate 

compliance and in accordance with 4.5 of this regulation. 

 4.4.4 The provisions of 4.3.2 and 4.3.4 of this regulation shall not apply to the 

use of any adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers, sealant primers, cleanup 

solvents and surface preparation solvents provided the total volume of 

noncomplying adhesives, sealants, primers, cleanup and surface preparation 

solvents applied facility-wide does not exceed 55 gallons per calendar year. Any 

person claiming exemption pursuant to 4.4.4 of this regulation shall record and 

maintain monthly operational records sufficient to demonstrate compliance with 

this exemption and in accordance with 4.5 of this regulation. 

 4.4.5 The provisions of 4.0 of this regulation shall not apply to a manufacturer 

or distributor who sells, supplies for sale or offers for sale in the State of Delaware 

any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer that does not comply 

with 4.3.1 of this regulation provided that such manufacturer or distributor makes 

and keeps records demonstrating: 

 4.4.5.1 The adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer is 

intended for shipment and use outside of the State of Delaware; and 

 4.4.5.2 The manufacturer or distributor has taken reasonable 

precautions to assure that the adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or 

sealant primer is not distributed to or within the State of Delaware. 

 4.4.6 The provisions of 4.4.5 of this regulation shall not apply to any adhesive, 

sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer that is sold, supplied for sale or offered 

for sale by any person to a retail outlet in the State of Delaware. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 12

 4.4.7 The provisions of 4.3.1 of this regulation shall not apply to the sale of 

any adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer or sealant primer to a person using State 

of Delaware permitted add-on air pollution control equipment, pursuant to 4.3.5 of 

this regulation, to comply with the requirements of 4.0 of this regulation. 

4.5 Administrative Requirements 

 4.5.1 Each person subject to 4.0 of this regulation shall maintain records of 

each adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer, sealant primer cleanup solvent and 

surface preparation solvent in use and in storage at the facility, including, but not 

limited to, the following information: 

4.5.1.1 A list of each adhesive, sealant, adhesive primer, sealant 

primer cleanup solvent and surface preparation solvent; 

4.5.1.2 A data sheet or material list which provides the material name, 

manufacturer identification, and material application; 

4.5.1.3 Catalysts, reducers or other components used, and the mix 

ratio; 

4.5.1.4 The VOC content of each product as supplied; 

4.5.1.5 The final VOC content or vapor pressure, as applied; and 

4.5.1.6 The monthly volume of each adhesive, sealant, adhesive 

primer, sealant primer, cleanup or surface preparation solvent used. 

 4.5.2 All records made to determine compliance with 4.0 of this regulation 

shall be maintained for five (5) years from the date such record is created and 

shall be made available to the Department within 90 days of a request. 

 4.5.3 For adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers and sealant primers 

subject to the laboratory testing exemption pursuant to 4.4.1.1 of this regulation, 

the person conducting the testing shall make and maintain records of all such 

materials used, including, but not limited to, the product name, the product 

category of the material or type of application and the VOC content of each 

material. 

4.6 Compliance procedures and test methods 

 4.6.1 Except as provided in 4.6.3, 4.6.4 and 4.6.5 of this regulation, the 

VOC and solids content of all non-aerosol adhesives, adhesive primers and 

cleanup solvents shall be determined using U.S. EPA Reference Method 24, as 

identified in 40 CFR 60, Appendix A, or SCAQMD Method 304 hereby 

incorporated by reference. 

 4.6.2 The organic content of exempt organic compounds shall be 

determined using ASTM D4457-85, as applicable, hereby incorporated by 

reference. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 13

 4.6.3 The VOC content of any plastic welding cement adhesive or primer 

shall be determined using SCAQMD Method 316A, hereby incorporated by 

reference. 

 4.6.4 To determine if a diluent is a reactive diluent, the percent of the 

reactive organic compound that becomes an integral part of the finished materials 

shall be determined using SCAQMD Method 316A. 

 4.6.5 The composite vapor pressure of organic compounds in cleaning 

materials shall be determined by quantifying the amount of each compound in the 

blend using gas chromatographic analysis (ASTM D 1045-95), hereby 

incorporated by reference, for organics and ASTM D3792-05, hereby incorporated 

by reference, for water content, as applicable, and the following equation: 

where: 

( )( )

∑ ∑

∑

= =

=

+ +

= m

j 1

n

i 1

w w j j i i

n

i 1

i i i

c

W Mw We Mwe W Mw

W VP Mw

Pp (4-1) 

 

Ppc = VOC composite partial pressure at 20oC, in mm Hg 

Wi = Weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in grams, as determined by 

ASTM E 260-91 

Ww = Weight of water, in grams as determined by ASTM D 3792-05 

Wej = Weight of the "j"th exempt compound, in grams, as determined by 

ASTM D 1045-95 

Mwi = Molecular weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in grams per g-mole, 

as given in chemical reference literature 

Mww = Molecular weight of water, 18 grams per g-mole 

Mwej = Molecular weight of the "j"th exempt compound, in grams per gmole, as given in chemical reference literature 

Vpi = Vapor pressure of the "i"th VOC compound at 20oC, in mm Hg, as 

determined by 4.6.6 of this regulation 

 4.6.6 The vapor pressure of each single component compound may be 

determined from ASTM D2879-97, hereby incorporated by reference, or by any 

method approved by the Department and EPA. 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 14

 4.6.7 If air pollution control equipment is used to meet the requirements of 

this rule, the owner or operator shall make the following determinations: 

4.6.7.1 The measurement of capture efficiency shall be conducted 

and reported in accordance with the EPA Technical Document 

"Guidelines for Determining Capture Efficiency," issued January 9, 

1995, hereby incorporated by reference; and 

 

4.6.7.2 The control efficiency shall be determined in accordance with 

U.S. EPA Methods 25, 25A, 25B or CARB Method 100, hereby 

incorporated by reference. 

 4.6.8 The active and passive solvent losses from spray gun cleaning 

systems shall be determined using SCAQMD's “General Test Method for 

Determining Solvent Losses from Spray Gun Cleaning Systems,” dated October 3, 

1989, hereby incorporated by reference. The test solvent for this determination 

shall be any lacquer thinner with a minimum vapor pressure of 105 mm of Hg at 

20 degrees Celsius, and the minimum test temperature shall be 15 degrees 

Celsius. 

 4.6.9 For adhesives that do not contain reactive diluents, grams of VOC 

per liter of adhesive, less water and exempt compounds, shall be calculated 

according to the following equation: 

Vm Vw Ve

Ws Ww We VOC grams perliter of adhesive − −

− − , = (4-2) 

 

 where 

 Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

 Ww = weight of water, in grams 

 We = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

 Vm = volume of material, in liters 

 Vw = volume of water, in liters 

 Ve = volume of exempt compounds, in liters 

 4.6.10 For adhesives that contain reactive diluents, the VOC content of the 

adhesive is determined after curing. The grams of VOC per liter of adhesive, less 

water and exempt compounds, shall be calculated according to the following 

equation: 

Vrm Vrw Vre

Wrs Wrw Wre VOC grams perliter of adhesive − −

− − , = (4-3) 

 

 where 

 Wrs = weight of volatile compounds not consumed during curing, 

 in grams 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 15

 Wrw = weight of water not consumed during curing, in grams 

 Wre = weight of exempt compounds not consumed during curing, 

 in grams 

 Vrm = volume of material not consumed during curing, in liters 

 Vrw = volume of water not consumed during curing, in liters 

 Vre = volume of exempt compounds not consumed during curing, 

 in liters 

 4.6.11 Grams of VOC per liter of material shall be calculated according to 

the following equation: 

Vm

Ws Ww We VOC grams perliter of materials − − , = (4-4) 

 

 where 

 Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

 Ww = weight of water, in grams 

 We = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

 Vm = volume of material, in liters 

 4.6.12 Percent VOC by weight shall be calculated according to the 

following equation: 

 

 % = ×100

W

Wv VOCby weight (4-5) 

 where 

 Wv = weight of VOCs in grams 

 W = weight of material in grams 

4.7 Container labeling. Each manufacturer of an adhesive, sealant, adhesive 

primer or sealant primer subject to 4.0 of this regulation shall display the following 

information on the product container or label: 

 

4.7.1 A statement of the manufacturer's recommendation regarding 

 thinning, reducing, or mixing of the product, except that: 

4.7.1.1 This requirement does not apply to the thinning of a 

 product with water; and 

 

4.7.1.2. If thinning of the product prior to use is not necessary, 

 the recommendation must specify that the product is to 

 be applied without thinning; 

 

4.7.2. The maximum or the actual VOC content of the product in 

accordance with 4.6 of this regulation, as supplied, displayed in grams of 

VOC per liter of product; and 
7 DE Admin Code 1141 – Page 16

4.7.3. The maximum or the actual VOC content of the product in accordance with 

4.6 of this regulation, which includes the manufacturer’s maximum 

recommendation for thinning, as applied, displayed in grams of VOC per liter of 

product.