Messmer's products are available and will continue to be available for purchase in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. We will not be "phasing out" oil-based wood stains in favor of waterborne stains, which we feel do not match the performance or appearance of high quality oil-based products.

Several states including California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia (northern VA near D.C. area) and Arizona (Maricopa county, Phoenix area) have adopted environmental regulations which force manufacturers to change the solvent composition and levels of their paints and stains, and Messmer's is prepared for the necessary minor changes.

There is no compromise in quality with the "VOC Compliant" products and Messmer's has been selling them successfully in California for years.

More information:

Most paints and stains contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and the federal government has regulated VOC's since the Architectural and Industrial Maintenance rule (AIM Rule) of the late '90s. Individual states and local governments may implement more stringent regulations if they see fit, but with few exceptions the federal standard has been followed. California has had more stringent environmental regulations in place for some time, and over the past years Messmer's has been manufacturing and selling VOC compliant products in that state with great results.

After January 1, 2005, the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of Virginia will require retailers and users of paints and stains to use products which comply with more stringent VOC rules. Non-compliant products manufactured before 1/1/05 may still be sold and used by consumers, and after the January 1, 2005 date it is up to manufacturers to provide compliant products to their dealers and consumers. Other states have followed suit, most recently Illinois, Ohio and Massachussetts in 2009.

Messmer's lower VOC products do not differ in appearance, application methods or quality. The only changes to the products involve the choice of "carrier" solvent and the "solids" content of the stains. A slightly different odor during application may be noticeable to some consumers, but this is normal. Messmer's products have always been and will continue to be safe for the consumer and the environment when used in accordance with label directions.

Environmental agencies seek to reduce VOC content in coatings because they are trying to reduce VOC emissions overall from many sources. While a great deal of VOC emissions occur naturally from plants and trees, other sources include transportation, industry, household products, and small engines. These VOC's combined with NOx (Nitrogen Oxides, generated mainly by fossil fuel combustion) in the presence of sunlight can produce ground level ozone. While ozone high in the atmosphere is beneficial to us since it absorbs harmful UV radiation, at ground level it can be unhealthy.

The EPA's web site features a lot of good information, including: What you can do to clean the air. Note that the EPA suggests many ways in which you can impact air quality, including carpooling, reducing wasted electricity, and choosing a more fuel efficient vehicle.

If you have any questions about Messmer's products, please feel free to contact us:
Phone: 1-800-731-3669, weekdays 8-5 Mountain time.
Email: cs@messmers.com.