What Are the Current Painting Standards in 2025?

In 2025, painting a house, a commercial space, or an industrial building is no longer something to be taken lightly. The painting industry is now governed by strict standards, both for health and surface durability. Whether you're a homeowner or a contractor, it’s essential to understand the regulations that apply to today’s paint products.

Here’s a summary of the key standards to know for your painting projects in 2025.

🧪 Environmental and Health Standards – 2025

1. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content

Paint used in residential or commercial projects must now contain little to no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These chemical substances evaporate into the air and can be harmful to both health and the environment.

As of 2025, indoor paints must not exceed 250 g/L of VOCs. That’s why at ProPinceau, we prioritize certified paint products such as:

• Green Seal

• Greenguard Gold

• Green Wise

• LEED

• Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

These certifications ensure not only better environmental protection but also healthier indoor air quality in your home or office.

2. Lead Paint: Strictly Prohibited

The use of lead-based paint is strictly prohibited in 2025. The permitted limit is set at 0.5% by weight—an important measure to protect everyone’s health, especially children.

🛠️ Technical Standards for Metal Surfaces – 2025

If you're undertaking a painting project on metal surfaces, particularly steel, certain technical standards must be followed:

• Surface preparation: The metal must be properly stripped and given a rough surface profile to ensure good paint adhesion.

• Adhesion: The applied paint must reach a minimum adhesion strength of 3.5 MPa, measured using specialized equipment.

• Film thickness: The thickness of the paint film must follow the specific system’s guidelines, with a common minimum above 50 microns.

These requirements help ensure the longevity and performance of coatings on exposed structures.

✅ Best Practices for Your Painting Projects

To comply with current standards and ensure long-lasting results:

✔️ Choose paints with low VOC content

✔️ Make sure products meet current Canadian regulations

✔️ Work with trained and knowledgeable professionals

At ProPinceau, we are committed to using paints that meet the latest 2025 standards. We guide you toward the best products and guarantee flawless application — because a perfect paint job starts with the right product.

📍 We proudly serve Montreal’s South Shore, including Saint-Bruno, Brossard, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, and surrounding areas.

Need advice or a quote? Contact us today!