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GB 38507-2020: Limits of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in printing ink
GB 38507-2020
GB
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
ICS 87.080
Y 44
Limits of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
printing ink
ISSUED ON: MARCH 04, 2020
IMPLEMENTED ON: APRIL 01, 2021
Issued by: State Administration for Market Regulation;
Standardization Administration of the PRC.
Table of Contents
Foreword ... 3 
1 Scope ... 4 
2 Normative references ... 4 
3 Terms and definitions ... 4 
4 Classification ... 7 
5 Requirements ... 7 
6 Test methods ... 8 
7 Packaging mark ... 9 
8 List of prohibited solvents ... 9 
Appendix A (Normative) List of prohibited solvents ... 10 
Bibliography ... 11 
Limits of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
printing ink
1 Scope
This Standard specifies the limits of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
printing ink; provides related ink terms and definitions, classification,
requirements, test methods, packaging mark and list of prohibited solvents.
This Standard applies to all kinds of printing inks in the exit-factory state.
This Standard does not apply to additives, thinners, etc. used to adjust the
performance of the ink during printing, nor does it apply to products such as car
wash water used in printing.
2 Normative references
The following documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For the dated references, only the editions with the dates indicated are
applicable to this document. For the undated references, the latest edition
(including all the amendments) are applicable to this document.
GB/T 34675-2017 Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC)
content in radiation curable coatings
GB/T 36421-2018 Restricted substances concerning printing inks for
packaging materials
GB/T 38608-2020 Method for determination of the volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) content in the ink
3 Terms and definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1
Printing ink
A dispersion system composed of colorants, binders, auxiliary agents, etc.,
which is a colored substance that is transferred to the substrate during the
The ink which can be set and dried by polymerization reaction under the action
of energy radiation.
[GB/T 15962-2018, definition 2.28]
3.14
Intaglio ink
Ink suitable for intaglio printing.
4 Classification
4.1 According to the difference in the main diluent used in the product
composition, ink is classified into solvent-based ink, water-based ink, offset ink,
energy curing ink, and intaglio ink. Water-based ink, offset ink, energy curing
ink, and intaglio ink are ink products with low volatile organic compound content.
Note 1: Solvent-based ink uses organic volatile solvent as the main diluent.
Note 2: Water-based ink uses water as the main diluent.
Note 3: Offset ink uses vegetable oil or modified vegetable oil, and high-boiling-point
mineral oil with a main distillation range above 250 °C as the main diluent. Energy
curing offset ink is listed in the energy curing ink category.
Note 4: Energy curing ink uses energy curing reactive monomer as the main diluent.
Note 5: Intaglio ink uses vegetable oil, mineral oil whose main distillation range is
160 °C~300 °C, and other solvents as the main diluent.
4.2 According to printing methods, solvent-based ink is classified into gravure
ink, flexographic ink, ink-jet ink, and screen ink.
4.3 According to printing methods, water-based ink is classified into gravure ink,
flexographic ink, ink-jet ink, and screen ink.
4.4 According to the paper feeding and drying methods, offset ink is classified
into sheet-fed offset ink, cold-set web-fed ink, and heat-set web-fed ink.
4.5 According to printing methods, energy curing ink is classified into offset ink,
flexographic ink, screen ink, ink-jet ink, and gravure ink.
5 Requirements
The limits of the content of volatile organic compounds in printing ink shall meet
For energy curing ink-jet ink and energy curing gravure ink, it shall be carried
out according to the method specified in GB/T 34675-2017. For other energy
curing inks, it shall be carried out according to the method specified in GB/T
38608-2020.
6.5 Volatile organic compound (VOCs) content in intaglio ink
It shall be carried out in accordance with the method specified in GB/T 38608-
2020.
7 Packaging mark
For ink products which pass the inspection according to this Standard, it shall
clearly indicate their ink category on the packaging mark. Those which meet the
requirements of low volatile organic compound content can be clearly indicated
as ink products with low volatile organic compound content.
8 List of prohibited solvents
Due to the greater harm and influence of some organic solvents on the human
body and the environment, during the production process, ink products shall
not be artificially added with:
- Halogenated hydrocarbon;
- Solvents listed in Appendix A.