LEED v4.1 says that "Product meets the VOC content limits outlined in one of the applicable standards...." and then for paints & coatings, there are 4 standards listed:

  • California Air Resource Board (CARB) 2007 Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings
  • South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113, effective February 5, 2016
  • European Decopaint Directive (2004/42/EC)
  • Hong Kong Air pollution control (VOC) Regulation for regulated architectural paints (January 2010)

Can projects outside of North America, Europe or Hong Kong where there is an absence of any VOC regulations applicable, just pick ANY of the above standards and apply the category definitions, calculation methods and corresponding VOC content limits? For e.g., can a project in Turkey apply the definitions and rules stated under European Decopaint Directive for any wet-applied paints and coatings used on site? Similarly can a project in UAE use the same European Decopaint Directive as the standard to follow and vet products against its definitions and limits?