Serious Lead Paint Problem in Indonesia Prompts Stricter Global Chemical Management

According to a World Bank study released in October, 58% of Indonesian households use lead-based interior wall paints, posing serious health risks, especially to children under five. It is estimated that approximately 10.2 million Indonesian children live in environments with lead paint, and 14% of these children face higher health risks due to paint degradation.

The study further pointed out that 77% of paint products popular in the Indonesian market exceed lead content standards. Long-term exposure to these products can lead to IQ decline, neurological disorders, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues.

However, the Indonesian Ministry of Industry denied this, insisting that the country’s decorative paints comply with national standards. These standards, based on World Health Organization recommendations, limit lead content to less than 90 ppm.

The Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, through its Chemicals Department, has released a draft amendment to the Chemicals Law. This aims to simplify administrative procedures for manufacturers and operators of chemical products such as paints and coatings. The amendment introduces special incentives and support, redesigns the chemical management system in Vietnam, and supplements management regulations for hazardous chemicals in products. These reforms reflect the evolving legal framework since the introduction of the Chemicals Law in 2008, aligning with Vietnam’s commitments under next-generation free trade agreements, such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and international conventions like the UN Global Chemicals Framework.

Starting January 1, 2025, Taiwan's paints and coatings industry will be affected by a new carbon pricing system. Energy and manufacturing industries, including petrochemicals, with annual emissions exceeding 25,000 tons of CO2 equivalent, will incur additional costs. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration has approved a new carbon fee rate of NT$300 (approximately $9.34) per ton of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases.

In South Korea, the National Assembly is reviewing a proposed Special Act on the Reduction and Management of Microplastics. This law aims to encourage the active reduction and management of microplastics by the state, local governments, enterprises, and citizens. The draft law proposes banning the manufacture, sale, or import of products containing primary microplastics that exceed safety standards and may cause direct contact or exposure during use. This regulation is expected to have a significant impact on the coatings industry, as studies estimate that 9% to 21% of global microplastics in oceans and waterways originate from coatings.

The Philippine Paint and Coating Association announced a policy-making partnership with scientist and UN Sasakawa Disaster Risk Reduction Award winner Glenn Banaguas. The partnership will develop a net-zero emissions roadmap, focusing on the adoption of environmentally friendly non-toxic materials, technologies to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs, encouraging material recycling, transitioning to less harmful water-based alternatives, and evaluating product impacts to guide more sustainable practices. The initial evaluation work will be undertaken by Times Paint Corporation based in Quezon.

Meanwhile, China’s new Group Standard for Indoor Wall and Woodwork Recoating Services and Acceptance officially came into effect on October 1, 2024. Drafted by companies like Akzo Nobel, Nippon Paint, and Carpoly, the standard ensures the quality of recoating services for indoor walls and woodwork while meeting the country’s environmental protection requirements.

The Industrial Safety Assurance Group of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry announced the preliminary process for submitting market authorization electronic applications for certain chemical substances, including those used in paints and coatings. Utilizing Japan's e-government application system, companies are required to submit applications during the 2025 fiscal year (April 2025 to March 2026). The scope includes reporting on small-quantity chemical substances, special applications for newly produced small-quantity chemicals, and chemical intermediates. Before submitting electronic applications, companies must apply for applicant codes by downloading forms and sending them via registered mail.

The Indian Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers extended the implementation dates for mandatory quality control standards (Quality Control Orders or QCO) for two polymers used in paint and coatings production. The new implementation date is set for December 12, 2024. The QCO, which covers polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) homopolymers, was initially issued on February 26, 2024, and was supposed to take effect on August 23, 2024.

Additionally, the implementation date for the QCO on para-xylene, used as a diluent in the paint and polyurethane industry, has been extended to March 19, 2025.

Malaysia’s Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) signed an agreement with Nippon Paint to strengthen the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with a special focus on the rapidly growing automotive coatings industry. The collaboration will train 240 MARA students and 37 lecturers in professional automotive refinishing skills under the guidance of Nippon Paint experts. As part of the agreement, up to 24 MARA training centers will be certified as Nippon Paint Training Centers, ensuring their programs meet industry standards and market needs. The Malaysian automotive industry, a vital pillar of the national economy, achieved a record production of 799,731 vehicles in 2023. MARA provides training for Malays and other indigenous groups in Malaysia.

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care released new chemical assessments for substances used in paints and coatings. These assessments cover chemicals such as naphthenes, used as solvents, and cyclohexane, used as paint and varnish removers. The government found that the environmental and health risks associated with these chemicals are within acceptable limits. These assessments are part of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) for market approval consideration. Required information includes chemical identity details, hazard information, and summaries of health and environmental risks.

In Thailand, paint and coating companies are reviewing new guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These guidelines specify the data required for registering hazardous chemicals, including classifications such as “technical-grade raw materials,” “semi-finished raw materials,” and “finished products.” The Thai FDA also updated the list of harmful substances requiring safety assessments and reduced documentation requirements for hazardous substance exports, focusing on self-certification by Thai chemical companies.

On December 25, 2024, Donglai Coating Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. announced that it had signed an Investment Agreement for High-Performance Automotive Coating Projects with the People’s Government of Sanjiao Town, Zhongshan City. The company plans a total investment of approximately 650 million yuan to establish a high-performance automotive coating R&D and production base, as well as a South China Regional Headquarters.

Earlier, on November 2, 2024, Donglai announced a Strategic Investment Framework Agreement with Sanjiao Town to promote its development in South China. The project involves building a headquarters, R&D center, production facilities, and warehouses on approximately 50 acres of industrial land. It will commence within 12 months of land delivery, complete construction within 18 months, and achieve full production within six months of project acceptance.