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Statement of Need: This regulation will establish VOC content limits for 24 types of consumer products. These limits will reduce the VOC emissions from these products and will reflect best available controls, as defined by section 183(e) of the Clean Air Act. The consumer products category is a significant contributor of VOC emissions in ozone nonattainment areas.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Section 183(e) of the CAA requires that the EPA list those categories of consumer and commercial products (CCP) that account for at least 80 percent of VOC from all CCP in ozone nonattainment areas and establish a schedule for regulating the categories. The consumer products category was included on the list and schedule published March 23, 1995, and is in the group of categories to be regulated by March 1997.

Alternatives: Alternatives to requirements in the proposed rule that were or are being considered, include alternative VOC content limits; issuance of a control techniques guideline in lieu of a national rule; variances based on economic hardship; and an incentive for innovative product development. The requirements in the proposed rule are based on product reformulation, a pollution prevention method.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The rule would impose an estimated cost of $27 million per year for consumer product manufacturers and would reduce VOC emissions from the products by an estimated 90,000 tons per year. VOC emissions are a main component in formation of ground-level ozone which can damage lung tissue and cause serious respiratory illness.

Risks: In the past, the CAA has focused on reducing VOC emissions from mobile sources (cars and trucks) and stationary sources, such as power plants and factories. Requiring additional controls on these sources may be very costly for the emissions reductions achieved. Regulating consumer and commercial products may prove to be a more cost-effective way of substantially reducing VOC emissions nationwide. Consumer and commercial products, such as surface coatings, personal care products, and household cleaning products, contribute about six million tons (approximately 30 percent) annually of VOC emissions nationwide. The consumer products category is one of the largest contributors.