The World Coatings Council (WCC) has placed the issue of lead elimination firmly back on the global policy agenda. Marking the 13th Annual International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, the council urged paint manufacturers and governments to accelerate the transition to lead-free coatings.
“Lead in paint is a century-old problem we now have the technology to solve,” said WCC President Marisa Cruz. “Our message is simple — no child, worker, or community should suffer preventable lead exposure.”
Over the past decade, more than 130 countries have enacted restrictions or outright bans on lead-based pigments. Yet, certain developing markets still allow their use in industrial coatings. The WCC is partnering with NGOs and the UN Environment Programme to provide technical guidance for small and medium producers.
Major multinational firms, including AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, Nippon Paints, and Asian Paints, have already phased out lead pigments from decorative paints and are extending similar protocols to specialty coatings. The initiative aligns with the broader ESG momentum across manufacturing industries.
Indian manufacturers like Grasim’s Birla Opus and Berger Paints India have publicly reaffirmed compliance, while industry associations are pushing for greater awareness at the supplier level.
For powder-coating specialists such as Rabbit Coat, this development validates existing efforts: powder coatings inherently avoid lead and solvents, positioning them as a sustainable alternative.
As regulatory harmonization deepens and sustainability reporting becomes mandatory in more regions, the global paint sector is inching closer to a lead-free, low-VOC future — a milestone that could redefine market reputations and export eligibility.