The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu said early March that starting 1st of January 2026, Singapore will ban the addition of formaldehyde (FA) in paints used for interior.
Formaldehyde is commonly added to some interior paints as a preservative to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. It can be emitted into the air and accumulate in indoor spaces.
Plywood is one of the source of Formaldehyde
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), a short-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation while long exposure can lead to negative health effects, such as respiratory discomfort and an increased risk of certain cancers, and may increase the risk of asthma.
Formaldehyde may still be present as an impurity in certain raw materials used to make interior paint, the requirement states that formaldehyde content cannot exceed 0.01% of the weight of the paint.
Following the requirements, starting 1st of January 2026, paint manufacturers and importers must submit reports that have to be prepared by accredited laboratories by body such as the Singapore Accreditation Council. The reports must be showing that the measured total in-can formaldehyde content in each interior paint product is within the limit.
Industrial paints and paints used for outdoor applications are excluded from the requirements. However, there must be label to inform users that they contain formaldehyde, and are meant for industrial or outdoor use only.
To ensure that paints sold are compliant, NEA will monitor the market.
Source: CNA
Formaldehyde is commonly added to some interior paints as a preservative to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. It can be emitted into the air and accumulate in indoor spaces.
Plywood is one of the source of Formaldehyde
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), a short-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation while long exposure can lead to negative health effects, such as respiratory discomfort and an increased risk of certain cancers, and may increase the risk of asthma.
Formaldehyde may still be present as an impurity in certain raw materials used to make interior paint, the requirement states that formaldehyde content cannot exceed 0.01% of the weight of the paint.
Following the requirements, starting 1st of January 2026, paint manufacturers and importers must submit reports that have to be prepared by accredited laboratories by body such as the Singapore Accreditation Council. The reports must be showing that the measured total in-can formaldehyde content in each interior paint product is within the limit.
Industrial paints and paints used for outdoor applications are excluded from the requirements. However, there must be label to inform users that they contain formaldehyde, and are meant for industrial or outdoor use only.
To ensure that paints sold are compliant, NEA will monitor the market.
Source: CNA