Dulux has been awarded Red List Free Declare labels across its entire envirO2™ range, marking it as the only major Australian paint brand to receive this eco-certification across a full product range.

The Declare transparency label, issued by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) for building products, is designed to help specifiers quickly identify products that meet their project requirements for sustainable and health-risk-free materials.

Declare labels display all intentionally added ingredients and residuals at or above 100 parts per million (0.01%) present in the final product by weight. Each ingredient must be reported with a chemical name, CAS number, and percentage or percentage range.

“Declare screens a product’s ingredients directly against the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List, saving project teams from the strenuous task of vetting products by hand,” Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA) CEO Laura Hamilton-O’Hara said.

“The LBC Red List contains the worst in class materials, chemicals and elements known to pose serious risks to human health and the greater ecosystem that are prevalent in the building products industry,” Hamilton-O’Hara explained.

There are currently only 116 Declare products registered in Australia, 95 of them being Red List Free, placing Dulux and its envirO2 range in the exceptional category of products on the market that supports the health and wellbeing of both humans and the environment.

“Buildings made from non-toxic products are healthier to occupy, and when they do eventually end up in landfill, they won’t poison the soil, waterways and food chains. We believe that all buildings should be constructed using products that are safe for all species throughout time,” she added.

The demand for envirO2 has been increasing since its relaunch in 2020, according to Dulux envirO2 product manager Judy Liao. However, the new certification will put it on the map for architects and designers who have personal endeavours to drive sustainability in their projects or for those who are commissioned to source eco-friendly and sustainability materials for commercial and residential spaces.

“Ongoing, we are seeing an increase in demand for very low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints from our specifiers and trade partners. More so, our consumers are also wanting to engage brands and suppliers that are committed to doing their bit to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact,” Liao said.

“EnvirO2 is just one crucial way we’re moving towards a more sustainable future as a brand to ensure we can support our customers and help the planet.”