July 21, 2023, 9:24 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Whether it’s the fence, the dresser, or the garden gate, sometimes a fresh coat of paint is needed to make old things shine anew. But how good are paints really? “Ökotest” took a closer look at 17 paints.
When furniture or other items need a new coat of paint, people usually reach for a paint. How environmentally friendly or sustainable they are can often be identified by the “Blue Angel” seal–in theory. However, a new investigation by “Ökotest” reveals that the seal can also be misleading. In the current issue (08/2023), “Ökotest” examined 17 water-based paints. The results are sobering.
Paints mostly perform poorly
Of the 17 paints tested, only one received an overall rating of “good” from “Ökotest.” The majority, nine in total, were rated “satisfactory.” Six paints were deemed merely “sufficient,” and one paint received a “poor” rating.
This was surprising even for “Ökotest,” as stated in the current issue. Typically, DIY products with the “Blue Angel” seal perform “very well.” This test was different: 14 of the 17 paints carried the label, yet none rated better than “satisfactory.” The last-place product, “Pocoline Weißlack Seidenmatt,” was rated “poor” despite the seal.
Also interesting: “Ökotest” finds toxins in ready-to-use fillers
“Blue Angel” products fail to convince “Ökotest”
The paints tested are water-based. According to “Ökotest,” such formulations require effective preservation. Seven of the tested paints use chloromethylisothiazolinone (CIT), which experts say has a particularly high allergenic potential and can enter indoor air. Therefore, “Ökotest” concludes that DIY products should be free of this ingredient.
The experts emphasize that they are stricter than the “Blue Angel” in this case–there, a maximum residue of 15 milligrams per kilogram is allowed. A significant issue, however, is that some manufacturers did not list the substance on the packaging, even though it was clearly detected in the lab.
This was also the case with the last-place product, where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected. These can evaporate and lead to fatigue, headaches, and discomfort. However, the packaging claimed the paint was nearly solvent-free or that a certain value was not exceeded, which was not the case according to lab tests.
What is the “Blue Angel”?
The “Blue Angel” is an environmental label for products and services that are particularly environmentally friendly. It has been awarded since 1978. Products bearing the “Blue Angel” seal are not entirely harmless–it merely indicates that the product is more environmentally friendly than others in its product group.
The Best Heat Pumps According to Stiftung Warentest
Some Faucets Release Pollutants Into Tap Water
Test winner surprises
Surprisingly, the test winner is a paint without the “Blue Angel” seal: The “Auro Weißlack matt” received a “good” rating. “Ökotest” found only small amounts of volatile organic compounds in this water-based paint.
How the test was conducted
A total of 17 water-based white paints were tested. All products are suitable for indoor and outdoor use–for wood, various metals, and certain plastics. In a specialized lab, the paints were analyzed for their ingredients. It was then checked whether the detected substances were also listed on the packaging.