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Performance Standards
These standards have been chosen because they correlate with environmentally preferred characteristics of paint.
CRGI is accredited by Laboratory Accreditation Bureau for all the test methods used in the Green Wise testing program. Click the link below to see the scope of CRGI’s accreditation.
CRGI Scope of Accreditation
In each category, a product must meet all standards to earn the CRGI GREEN WISE Certification mark.
The gloss level of the paint determines its VOC limit, according to EPA standards.
Flat paints will have a gloss less than 5 when measured at a 60 degree angle, or less than 15 at 85 degrees.
Non-flat paints will have a gloss equal to or greater than 5 when measured at a 60 degree angle, or greater than or equal to 15 at 85 degrees.
| Interior Topcoat Paint Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
Flats:  50 g/L Non-flats: 100 g/L |
| Contrast Ratio |
0.95 minimum |
| Y-Reflectance |
80% minimum |
| Washability |
Flats: rating of 5 or better, non-flats: 7 or better. Simple Green cleaner will be used.
Water based marker (Crayola Orange)
Ketchup (Heinz)
Mustard (Grey Poupon)
Lipstick (Cover Girl 570)
Juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry) |
| Odor Test |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex paints |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
| Exterior Topcoat Paint Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
Flats: 50 g/L Non-flats: 100 g/L |
| Contrast Ratio |
0.95 minimum |
| Y-Reflectance |
80% minimum |
| Flexibility |
No Cracking, flaking, or peeling upon bending. |
| Accelerated Weathering and Water Resistance |
After testing in accelerated aging apparatus, must show no blistering after 24 hours After 1000 hours, good color retention plus no blistering, cracking, peeling, flaking, or chalking. |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
| Interior-Exterior Topcoat Paint Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
Flats: 50 g/L Non-flats: 100 g/L |
| Contrast Ratio |
0.95 minimum |
| Y-Reflectance |
80% minimum |
| Odor |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex paints |
| Washability |
Flats: rating of 5 or better, non-flats: 7 or better. Simple Green cleaner will be used.
Water based marker (Crayola Orange)
Ketchup (Heinz)
Mustard (Grey Poupon)
Lipstick (Cover Girl 570)
Juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry) |
| Flexibility |
No Cracking, flaking, or peeling upon bending. |
| Accelerated Weathering and Water Resistance |
After testing in accelerated aging apparatus, must show no blistering after 24 hours After 1000 hours, good color retention plus no blistering, cracking, peeling, flaking, or chalking. |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
For information on test methods, contact Coatings Research Group, Inc. at 216.447.9122 or info@coatingsresearch.com.
All primers for interior or both interior/exterior use will need to pass the Green Wise odor test. Only primers for exterior use only are exempt from the odor test.
This standard is NOT for paints that claim anti-corrosive properties.
| Interior and Exterior Primer Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
100 g/L |
| Adhesion |
50% adhesion or better over wood, metal, plastic or other intended substrates. |
| Odor Test |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex primers |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
| Anti-Corrosive Topcoat (Direct to Metal Topcoat) Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
250 g/L |
| Contrast Ratio |
0.95 minimum |
| Y-Reflectance |
80% minimum |
| Odor |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex paints. Only for interior or interior/exterior coatings. |
| Cyclic Prohesion |
Minimum of ASTM 8 rusting after one complete cycle of cyclic prohesion test.. |
| Adhesion |
50% adhesion or better over metal after 1 week cure at ambient conditions. |
| Flexibility |
No Cracking, flaking, or peeling upon bending. |
| Accelerated Weathering and Water Resistance |
After testing in accelerated aging apparatus, must show no blistering after 24 hours. After 1000 hours, good color retention plus no blistering, cracking, peeling, flaking, or chalking. |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
| Anti-Corrosive Primer Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
250 g/L |
| Odor |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex paints. Only for interior or interior/exterior coatings. |
| Cyclic Prohesion |
Minimum of ASTM 8 rusting after one complete cycle of cyclic prohesion test.. |
| Adhesion |
50% adhesion or better over metal after 1 week cure at ambient conditions. |
| Flexibility |
No Cracking, flaking, or peeling upon bending. |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
See Prohibited Chemicals list at the bottom of the page. |
For information on test methods, contact Coatings Research Group, Inc. at 216.447.9122 or info@coatingsresearch.com.
| Interior Ceiling Paint Standards |
| VOC (EPA Method 24) |
Flats: 50 g/L Non-flats: 100 g/L |
| Contrast Ratio |
0.95 minimum |
| Y-Reflectance |
80% minimum |
| Odor Test |
Substantially lower odor than conventional latex paint |
| Chemical Component Limitations |
Will comply with GS-11 dated May 20, 1993 |
Prohibited Chemicals are:
methylene chloride, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, vinyl chloride, naphthalene, 1,2 dichlorobenzene, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, isophorone, antimony, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, formaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, acrolein, and acrylonitrile, consistent with Green Seal GS-11, 1993.
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