Volatile Organic Compounds 2025

Rulemaking contact: Farrah Fatemi, 503-915-5671

DEQ is proposing a rulemaking that would establish new limits on the allowable amount of volatile organic compounds in consumer products and architectural coatings. This rulemaking is intended to reduce VOC emissions in order to reduce ozone concentrations across the state, and particularly in metropolitan areas such as Portland, Salem and Medford, where ozone concentrations tend to be more problematic for air quality. 

Volatile organic compounds are a common class of chemicals that can degrade air quality if they react with other compounds in the air to form ozone (and smog). Volatile organic compounds are found in many commonly used everyday products. Deodorant, baby wipes, cleaners, windshield wiper fluids, gardening chemicals, and house paints are all examples of products that typically contain VOCs.  

When released into the air, VOCs can have a negative impact on air quality and public health because they contribute to formation of ozone at the ground-level, where we breathe. This rulemaking will help reduce exposure risk to high amounts of VOCs from regulated products, and high concentrations of Ozone that VOCs help create as they break down in ambient air.

Research suggests that consumer products and architectural coatings are a major human-made source of VOC emissions across the U.S. and in Oregon, sometimes producing more than double the emissions of VOCs than cars. This rulemaking would follow 19 other states or jurisdictions across North America that have adopted rules to set limits on the content of VOCs in consumer products and architectural and industrial maintenance coatings.

DEQ is meeting with a rulemaking advisory committee composed of members from industry, community and advocacy groups. This committee will help DEQ develop an appropriate regulatory model for this rulemaking in Oregon. 

DEQ plans to bring this rulemaking to the Environmental Quality Commission in 2025 after a public comment period.