Proposed Amended Rule 1136 – Wood Products Coatings

Proposed Amended Rule 1136 (PAR 1136), issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, regulates volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from coatings, strippers, and solvents used in the manufacture and maintenance of wood products such as furniture, cabinets, and shutters. This regulatory action partially implements the 2022 Air Quality Management Plan control measure CTS-01, specifically targeting the phase-out of para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride (pCBtF) and tert-Butyl Acetate (t-BAc) in primers, coatings, sealants, and maskants due to toxicity concerns. The rule aims to protect workers and the public by reducing exposure to these toxic chemicals while maintaining existing VOC limits for wood product coatings and strippers. Key requirements of the amendment include a prohibition schedule for pCBtF and t-BAc with designated sell-through and use-through periods to manage stranded inventory. Additionally, the rule introduces optional alternative Product-Weighted Maximum Incremental Reactivity (PW-MIR) VOC limits for major coating categories, which requires specific labeling for materials that elect to comply with these limits. The amendment also reorganizes test methods for better consistency with other district rules. The project is located within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction, covering the four-county South Coast Air Basin and portions of the Salton Sea and Mojave Desert Air Basins, and was processed with a Governing Board Public Hearing on June 5, 2026.