Brazil establishes strict lead limits for paints and similar surface coating materials.
In June 2026, Brazil published Law No. 15.441 of June 26, 2026, establishing stricter limits for lead in paints and similar surface coating materials.
What does the new regulation require?
Key provisions in the law are summarized in Table 1.
| Substance | Scope | Requirement | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Paints and similar surface coating materials¹ | < 90 ppm (weight of the dry paint film or total non-volatile content of the paint)² | June 29, 2027 |
| ¹Exempts products manufactured, imported or in the process of being imported prior to June 29, 2027 ²A limit of < 600 ppm applies to the following industrial or marine paints: a) antifouling paints containing copper oxide-based biocides and b) anti-corrosive paints containing zinc powder | |||
Table 1
Who is impacted?
The new law affects stakeholders across the paints and surface coating materials supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, retailers and other intermediaries operating in Brazil.
When does it apply?
The new legislation repeals Law No. 11.762 of August 1, 2008, on lead in paints and will apply from June 29, 2027.
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