How acute is the issue of paint quality in Russia?
- For the paint and varnish industry, this is indeed a very topical issue. Over the past twenty years, since the beginning of perestroika, the concept of quality in Russia has become very ambiguous. Currently, buyers, professional designers and even construction companies do not have clear criteria for choosing a quality paint.
It is difficult to find another developed country where there would be so many low-quality and cheap products in the paint and varnish segment on the market. According to our estimates, there are about 300 paint manufacturers in Russia, and many of them are unknown companies. Often, such an "enterprise" can be a small semi-legal production, organized directly on the building materials market.
For low-quality paint, neither large funds nor special technologies are required. But when buying such a product, the consumer, at best, receives a coating that will require replacement as early as next season, and at worst, poor-quality paint components will damage his health and the health of those around him.
Therefore, we have established the "Association for the quality of paint", the task of which is to help the consumer with the choice of really high-quality products. The special marking of the association will be a confirmation of the conformity of the paint to certain standards.
What standards are we talking about, what paint parameters will the association track?
- The Association has developed two groups of standards. The first is in the area of security. The European Union has already introduced requirements for the composition of paints: they must not contain certain harmful components, in particular lead and volatile organic compounds. For example, in freshly painted porches, there is sometimes a pungent smell, and the walls have a pronounced shine. These are simple signs that cheap paint was used with a high probability of containing harmful substances. I think this is unacceptable.
The second group of standards developed relates directly to quality. Modern paints have many characteristics. For example, abrasion. It is possible to apply a coating to the wall that will lose its visual and practical qualities after the first wet cleaning. It is clear that the consumer expected something different from the purchase, and such a product can hardly even be called paint. Or an indicator of hiding power, that is, how much area one liter of paint can cover. And here the takeoff run is colossal: on average, from 3 to 12 m2 different products. For these and numerous other characteristics, the association has set specific standards - at what minimum indicators the paint can be considered to be of high quality.
How will the developed standards be implemented in the Russian market?
- The Association is open to all responsible manufacturers. All current and future members of the "Paint Quality Association" must undergo an independent audit for the compliance of all their products with the established requirements. After passing the audit, companies are entitled to use the association's markings on labels This labeling is already beginning to be implemented. So membership in the association itself will be evidence of the company's compliance with quality standards.
To what extent are market participants ready to support this initiative?
- At the moment there are eight companies in the "Association for the quality of paint", and negotiations are underway with several interested candidates.
At the industry conference "Markets for paints and varnishes and raw materials for paint and varnish materials" held in September, the association came up with a specific action plan, new initiatives and an appeal to join. The proposals received a wide response.
The Association is open to everyone: both Russian and Western companies. We do not have a criterion for the country of production or for the price level of products. For the association, the most important reference point is the consumer and the protection of his interests. The task of this non-profit organization is to educate the widest circle, both professionals and buyers who have decided to make home repairs on their own.
The development of the association is beneficial both for the consumer, who gets more opportunities to choose a really high-quality product, and for the producers themselves. Independently audited and labeled products have an added competitive edge on the shelf.
Have AkzoNobel products been tested for compliance with the association's standards?
- We were one of the first companies to be audited. Compliance testing of our products with standards was carried out in an independent company and was completed this fall.
I would like to proudly note that our products significantly exceed the established standards in terms of quality and safety, as they belong to the mid-price and premium segment. However, I note that mass products can also be tested and be recognized as high-quality.
The established standards of the association set the minimum bar for products that we can consider as quality paint. And this is what must first of all be done on the Russian market in order to give it a civilized character and to protect consumers from losses, disappointments and health risks.
Will the association be able to change the situation with the quality of paint on the market for the better?
- We perfectly understand that this is a long-term project. The Association sets itself ambitious tasks, and they cannot be solved quickly. But the more manufacturers join the association, the closer we will be to a common goal.
The association will help the consumer navigate the variety of products on the market. The logo of the "Paint Quality Association" on the can will become an additional argument to make the right choice and purchase a really high-quality product. This scenario of civilized market development is in the interests of both the consumer and responsible producers.
