Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (Lock A locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Paint Formulating Effluent Guidelines
The EPA promulgated the Paint Formulating Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 446Exit EPA’s website) in 1975. The regulation covers directdirectA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans. and certain indirectindirectA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargers and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargers (see Pretreatment Program). On this page: * What is the Paint Formulating Industry? * Zero Discharge Requirement * Rulemaking History * Additional Information
What is the Paint Formulating Industry?
The paint formulating industry produces paints with either an oil base or a water base in batches. Paints are generally made in batches ranging from 400 to 1900 liters (100 to 500 gallons) but some large facilities will make batches up to 23,000 liters (6,000 gallons). Both oil-base and water-base paints are made by mixing and/or grinding of raw materials, followed by tinting and thinning and then packaging and shipment. Oil-base paints require that tanks be cleaned by flushing the tank with solvent and sometimes also with a concentrated caustic solution. Tanks used to produce water-base paint can be washed with water. These paint formulating facilities are included within North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) group 325510, Paint and Coating Manufacturing. The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Paint Formulating category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the Applicability section in 40 CFR Part 446Exit EPA’s website.
Zero Discharge Requirement
The regulation covers facilities producing oil-base paints with solvent-based cleaning operations. These direct dischargers and "new source" indirect dischargers (i.e. facilities that commenced operation after February 26, 1975) must comply with the zero discharge requirement in the regulation. Solvents used to clean the tanks for oil-base paints do not come into contact with water and can be reclaimed by distillation, reused, or incinerated and thus are not discharged.
Rulemaking History
1975 rule
BPT, BAT, NSPS, PSNS
* Documents:
* Final Rule (July 28, 1975)
* Development Document (July 1975)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
* Proposed Rule (February 26, 1975)
Additional Information
For additional information regarding the Paint Formulating Effluent Guidelines, please contact Phillip Flanders (flanders.phillip@epa.gov) or 202-566-8323.
Effluent Guidelines
Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on May 8, 2026 Welcome! Please share your feedback on how we can make www.epa.gov work better for you. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.
Success
Thank you. Your feedback has been received.
Error
alert message Required Questions - page 1 of 2 question_55203_answer_01 How would you rate your experience on www.epa.gov today? *
0 Stars 1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars Please explain the reason for your rating. * 400 characters allowed Would you like to take two more minutes to answer more questions to help us improve our services? Yes, keep going → No, only submit these responses Optional questions - page 2 of 2 How would you describe yourself? Business Government employee Scientist Student Other Enter other text Please tell us why you visited www.epa.gov today. 400 characters allowed Did you visit www.epa.gov to accomplish a specific task? If yes, please explain why you were able or unable to accomplish your task. 400 characters allowed How can we make www.epa.gov a more helpful website? 400 characters allowed Submit [NPDES]: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [BPT]: Best Practicable Pollutant Control Technology Currently Available [BAT]: Best Available Technology Economically Achievable [NSPS]: New Source Performance Standards [PSNS]: Pretreatment Standards for New Sources [*]: required