27 August 2013: The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) has released a study, funded by the EU, examining decorative paint samples from 28 paints manufactured or sold in Indonesia, finding that 77% contained lead at concentrations higher than 90 parts per million (ppm). The average lead concentration in the study was 18,500 ppm, more than 200 times higher than 90 ppm, the recommended limit for lead content.

The report, ‘Lead in Indonesia’s New Enamel Household Paints,’ was completed as part of the EU€1.4 million IPEN Asian Lead Paint Elimination Project, being implemented from 2012-2015 in seven Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

According to IPEN, in June 2013, Indonesia became the first country to launch a National 10-Year Program on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) as a follow-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The first phase of the Program is set to focus on Green Building, Green Procurement, Green Industry and Green Tourism.

In light of the Government of Indonesia’s commitment to SCP, IPEN recommends that the Government regulate total lead content in enamel paints. [IPEN Press Release] [Publication: Lead in Indonesia’s New Enamel Household Paints]