WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced July 11 that four paint companies have agreed to settle allegations of deceptively promoting their products as emission free or containing zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The FTC alleges that, despite not having the proper evidence to back the claims up, some of the promotions also made explicit safety claims regarding babies, children, pregnant women and other sensitive populations.
The four companies are Benjamin Moore & Co. Inc., ICP Construction Inc., YOLO Colorhouse LLC and Imperial Paints LLC. All four agreed to cease the promotion of their products as emission free and VOC free unless they can provide evidence that they actually are.
VOCs are carbon-containing compounds that evaporate at room temperature. These compounds, which can be harmful to the environment and to people, are emitted during the painting and drying process.
The FTC voted 2-0 to accept the consent agreements; a description of each will be published shortly in the Federal Register. The agreements will be subject to public comment till Aug. 10, 2017. After this date, the commission will determine whether to finalize the rule.