Australian Paint Approval Scheme

APAS is administered by the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)[to CSIRO] which is the largest provider of cutting edge research services in Australia. Day to day management of APAS resides with the APAS Secretariat, part of CSIRO Services Division. APAS offices are located at Clayton, Victoria in SE Australia. APAS c... ertifies that certain paints and coatings meet stringent performance specifications documented in more than 200 APAS performance specifications. APAS itself does not do any testing per se as it is a requirement that it remain independent of testing activities. The APAS List of Approved Products contains more than 2000 approved products and is a comprehensive guide for specifiers. APAS is also active in environmental and workplace health and safety. In 1997, APAS together with the industry employer body, the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF), were responsible for setting limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and coatings. Since then, VOC levels have been progressively reduced whilst still maintaining performance standards. An independent government audit of the industry's self-regulation of VOCs in 2007 found there to be no case for external intervention as satisfactory progress in reducing VOC content continues to be made by APAS and the industry. Over the years, APAS has withdrawn approval for products containing lead, chromates and other toxic ingredients. The basis of the Scheme are the performance specifications prepared by APAS. Draft versions are widely circulated for Public Comment prior to publication. Products are certified against these specifications and are required to be produced in APAS 'recognised' manufacturing plants. Currently there are APAS Recognised Manufacturing Units (RMUs) in 10 countries other than Australia - Sweden, UK, Belgium, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Fiji Islands, New Zealand.Read More