Solvents containing VOCs are commonly used in consumer and commercial products as a vehicle for product application, then evaporate to the atmosphere. VOC emissions resulting from the use of solvents in consumer and commercial products are the second largest contributors of overall emissions of VOCs, with an estimated 447 kt of emissions in 2000 (Criteria Air Contaminants Inventory). Emissions of VOCs from this sector are expected to replace transportation as the largest source of anthropogenic VOC emissions in Canada by 2010.

In order to address the concerns associated with VOC emissions from consumer and commercial products, the Government of Canada published a Notice of Intent on March 27, 2004. This notice outlines a series of measures to be developed and implemented between 2004 and 2010 to reduce emissions of VOCs.

Due to the nature of use and application of most consumer products, the best option to reduce emissions from this sector in many cases is to reformulate products to contain lower levels of VOCs. Reductions in these areas will be attained through the development of regulations for consumer products, architectural and industrial maintenance coatings, and automotive refinish coatings. In other areas, measures will be taken at the point of end-use such as for manufacturers of automobiles and printing and publishing operations. In these cases environmental performance agreements or other voluntary instruments will be negotiated with end-users.

Consumers can do their part by choosing products with low VOC content. Some low VOC products can be easily identified by the Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo.

For more information on VOCs in consumer and commercial products, see the following web-site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/nopp/voc/