On September 24 last year, a website published the results of a paint comparison test, showing that the formaldehyde resistance of mainstream domestic interior wall paints is generally poorer than that of foreign brands. This result was reprinted by multiple media outlets, causing a stir in the industry. A reporter learned last week that in order to strengthen supervision and management of the industry and to be responsible to society and consumers, the China Coatings Industry Association conducted random sampling tests on products from some companies in the industry. Given the significant price differences among the products originally published online, the association spent about six months comparing popular products with similar price points in the market and obtained all test results by the end of March. The results showed that currently, both domestic paint manufacturers and foreign brands meet the country's strictest standards in terms of quality.

　　A relevant person from the China Coatings Industry Association introduced that inspectors purchased eight types of paint samples labeled with 'formaldehyde resistance' from legitimate distribution venues such as Beijing Shilihe Building Materials City and Juran Home. The samples were then repackaged uniformly and numbered, and tested by the National Center for Quality Supervision and Inspection of Building Materials according to national standards related to interior wall paints, including GB/T9756-2009 'Synthetic Resin Emulsion Interior Wall Paint', GB18582-2008 'Indoor Decoration Materials - Limitations on Harmful Substances in Interior Wall Paint', and JC/T1074-2008 'Purification Performance of Indoor Air Purification Coating Materials'.

　　The strict sampling results showed that for eight samples — SanKeShu Clear Formaldehyde All-Purpose Wall Paint, China Resources All-Purpose Gold Interior Wall Paint, Classic All-Purpose Odorless Bamboo Charcoal Anti-Radon Formaldehyde Resistant Interior Latex Paint, Jialesh Bamboo Charcoal Breathable Wall Paint, Crocodile 360° Anti-Formaldehyde Odorless All-Purpose Interior Paint, Dulux Formaldehyde Resistant 5-in-1 Wall Paint, Dulux Bamboo Charcoal Breathable 5-in-1 Wall Paint, Nippon Gold Anti-Formaldehyde Odorless All-Purpose Interior Latex Paint — their formaldehyde purification performances were respectively 93.4%, 82.2%, 86.5%, 92.7%, 93.4%, 92.4%, 90.1%, and 83.0% (with a national standard requirement of at least 75% for qualification), and no benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene or free formaldehyde was detected. Their volatile organic compound (VOC) values were: 24, 27, 20, not detected, 24, not detected, not detected, and 22 respectively; all significantly lower than the national standard limit of 120. The test results for all sampled products met first-class or superior product requirements. Regarding washability reflecting film resistance for interior wall paints, all eight samples were rated as superior quality with no substrate exposure after up to 5000 scrubs.

　　"Regarding environmental protection indicators and formaldehyde purification performance that everyone is concerned about based on this sampling result shows that there are no significant differences between products at similar price points in terms of product quality or environmental protection indicators; they all meet construction material industry standards," said this official to reporters. Due to very low formaldehyde content in interior wall paints themselves which is basically undetectable; thus their formaldehyde content can be almost negligible compared to furniture or flooring.

　　Formaldehyde resistance is an auxiliary function of interior wall paints while decoration and protection of home environments are their main functions. The most important environmental protection indicators for paints include VOCs, formaldehyde levels, benzene compounds and heavy metal content among others. Two common standards in the paint industry — 'Indoor Decoration Materials - Limitations on Harmful Substances in Interior Wall Paint' and HJ/T201-2005 'Technical Requirements for Environmental Labeling Products - Water-based Coatings' — impose strict limits on VOCs such as benzene compounds like xylene as well as lead and mercury levels within interior wall paints; whether harmful substances within coatings are below national standard limits is crucial for determining whether a paint product is environmentally friendly.

　　It is understood that currently major paint brands are increasing their research efforts based on consumers' overall living environment while continuously enhancing product environmental performance; following low VOC product launches they have also successively introduced formulations containing bamboo charcoal, activated carbon, seaweed muds or diatomaceous earth aimed at purifying air.

　　A coatings expert from the China Coatings Industry Association stated that formaldehyde resistance functionality in interior wall paints serves as an auxiliary feature which does not affect its inherent environmental characteristics nor introduce new pollution into homes; consumers should view this rationally when purchasing paint products focusing primarily on their inherent environmental performance while opting for well-known products among both domestic and foreign brands since these companies tend to have stricter management practices ensuring stable product performance along with better service guarantees.