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BIS Proposes Major Revision to Epoxy Resin Standard for Paints and Coatings Image

BIS Proposes Major Revision to Epoxy Resin Standard for Paints and Coatings

Date
11 May 2026

Reference source : BIS

Chemicals India BIS Revised Standard Packaging Requirements

On 30 April 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) circulated a wide circulation draft concerning the revision of the standard for epoxy resin used in paints and coatings. The draft document, prepared by the Technical Committee on Raw Materials for Paints, Varnishes and Related Products (CHD 21), aims to update the specifications related to epoxy resin materials used in the paints and coatings sector to support improved quality, performance, and standardization within the industry. 

Stakeholders, industry experts, manufacturers, laboratories, and other concerned parties are invited to review the draft and submit comments or suggestions for improvement.  

The last date for submission of comments is 01 July 2026. 

Background 

Epoxy resin is one of the most widely used binders in the paint and coatings industry due to its strong adhesion, mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals and corrosion. 

Key Changes Proposed in the Revised Standard 

The draft introduces several significant changes compared with the existing 2001 standard: 

  • The term “coatings” has been added to the title and scope alongside “paints” for better industry relevance.  

  • A new classification system has been proposed that introduces five grades based on epoxy equivalent weight replacing the earlier molecular weight-based classification.  

  • The previous classification method was removed due to limited industrial relevance and lack of separate testing requirements.  

  • Stricter quality specifications have been proposed for Grade 1 epoxy resins:  

  • Maximum colour value reduced from 3 to 1 (Gardner scale)  

  • Epoxy equivalent weight revised from 180–200 to 185–195  

  • Maximum hydrolyzable chlorine content reduced from 0.5% to 0.1%  

  • Specifications for Grade 3 relating to viscosity, softening point, epoxy equivalent weight, and hydrolyzable chlorine content have also been updated. 

Epoxy resins used in paint and coating systems are classified into five grades based on Epoxy Equivalent Weight (EEW), as shown in the table below. 

Grade 

Epoxy Equivalent Weight 

Grade 1 

185-195 

Grade 2 

425-550 

Grade 3 

850-1000 

Grade 4 

1700-2300 

Grade 5 

2400-3500 

 

The following table specifies the requirements for Epoxy Resins specifications: 

Sl No. 

Characteristics 

Grades 

 

 

Grade 1 

Grade 2 

Grade 3 

Grade 4 

Grade 5 

  1.  

Colour (on ‘Gardner’ scale), Max 

1 

4 

4 

4 

6 

  1.  

a) Viscosity 

As such at 25 °C ± 0.05 °C (cps) 

 

b) 40 percent in butyl carbitol at (25 ± 0.5) °C (cps) 

 

c) 50 percent in 1 : 1 mixture of O.Xylene/D.A.A. at (25 ± 0.5) ℃ (cps) 

8000-15000 

 

 

- 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

 

- 

 

 

80-170 

 

 

 

 

100-150 

 

- 

 

 

375-750 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

- 

 

 

1600-3 400 

 

 

 

- 

 

- 

 

 

4000-11 000 

 

 

 

- 

  1.  

Softening point (ball and ring), ℃ 

- 

60-70 

80-100 

117-127 

130-145 

  1.  

Epoxide equivalent g/mole 

185 195 

425-550 

700-1000 

1700-2300 

 

  1.  

Hydrolyzable chlorine content by mass, Max 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

  1.  

Relative density (at 27 ± 2) ℃ 

1.15- 1.20 

- 

- 

-- 

- 

 

Packing and Marking 

The material shall be packed in clean, dry, and suitable containers as agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser. 

Containers shall be marked with: 

  • Name and grade of the material  

  • Net mass  

  • Month and year of manufacture  

  • Batch/Lot number  

  • Manufacturer’s name or trade mark. 

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