NEA to ban formaldehyde in interior paints starting January 2026

Paint manufacturers will have to submit test reports of their products.

Starting 1 January 2026, paints used on interior surfaces can no longer contain formaldehyde.

As part of the ban, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will require paint manufacturers and importers to submit test reports from accredited laboratories.

The reports must prove that the total in-can formaldehyde content in the interior paint product is below 0.01% weight by weight.  

Industrial paints and paint used for outdoor applications with formaldehyde content are excluded from the ban but must have a "for outdoor use only" label.

The Singapore Paint Industry Association (SPIA) and non-SPIA paint companies have backed the proposed measure. 

China and the European Union have implemented similar measures.

Formaldehyde is a chemical used in some interior paints to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.

Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde may cause health issues such as eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation. Long-term exposure may increase the risks of asthma and even other forms of cancer.