Red List Free Finishes
Paints, stains, and sealers carrying the Declare Red List Free label — zero Red List ingredients above 100 ppm.
Toxicity Screening — All Clear
This material screens clear across all seven independent toxicology authorities we use on every project.
Material Type
LBC-Certified Coatings & Sealants
Material Description
Finishes are where chemical exposure happens fastest in a new home — paint, stain, and sealer all cure for weeks after install, off-gassing whatever's in their formulation. Red List Free finishes are the strictest version of "zero-VOC": they go further than the standard VOC-content rules by also excluding ~800 specific chemicals from the LBC Red List, including formaldehyde, isocyanates, alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants, phthalates, and chlorinated solvents. Declare-labeled products publish their full ingredient list. EBH defaults to Red List Free finishes throughout every project: mineral paint or low-VOC acrylic on walls, natural-oil hard-wax on wood floors, water-based zero-VOC stains on cabinetry.
Composition & Origin
Health Profile — All Endpoints Clear
Severity scored 0–10 against the same 10 hazard endpoints we use for the chemical families on the avoid list. Every score is 1–2 — essentially no signal across every endpoint.
Common Forms & Brands
- ECOS Paints (Declare Red List Free)
- AFM Safecoat (long-time low-tox finish brand)
- ROMABIO mineral paints
- Rubio Monocoat hard-wax oil
- Common framing: zero-VOC paint, mineral paint, hard-wax oil, water-based stain
Why We Use It
- Zero formaldehyde, zero isocyanates, zero APE surfactants
- Strictest indoor-air-quality finish standard available
- Manufacturer ingredient disclosure required
- Compatible with chemical-sensitivity protocols
- Specification floor for high-priority indoor environments
Where It Performs Best
- Interior wall and ceiling paint
- Cabinet and trim finishes
- Hardwood floor sealers
- Exterior wood stains and sealers
Building Applications for Red List Free Finishes
Listed alphabetically. Where in a home this material earns its keep.
Cabinet & Casework Finishes
Exterior Wood Stains & Sealers
Hardwood Floor Sealers & Oils
Interior Wall & Ceiling Paint
Sealants & Caulks (Red List Free)