DIY decorators will already have noticed the new range of paints introduced by paint manufacturers ahead of new regulations enforced as of this week.

Love them or hate them, DIYers and professional decorators alike will soon be using paints and varnishes that are ‘chemical fume’ free for almost any decorating job that does not constitute 'authentic restoration' and maintenance of historic vehicles and buildings.

The fumes from old style paints, derived from solvents within the product, can cause potent smells indoors and also contribute to summertime smogs, health problems and damage to trees, vegetation and crops.

The move, brought about under the Paints Directive, will affect paints and varnishes used by professionals as well as do-it-yourself decorators, and includes emulsions for walls and gloss paint for wood.

Paint used to repair and respray motor vehicles will also be affected, but operators will benefit from a simpler and cheaper regulatory regime.

The new regulations, that came into force from 1 November 2005, will see limits to the solvents in paints set from 1 January 2007. More stringent limits will be in place from 1 January 2010.

Many paint manufacturers in the UK have already been leading the way in achieving voluntary reductions of these fumes, the measures this week will ensure these high standards are met across the whole of the industry.

The measures being brought in will help to achieve an estimated 280 kilotonne reduction in volatile organic compounds by 2010 across Europe - 59 per cent of the current estimated emissions from painting sources.