WASHINGTON - The NPCA issued an alert to coatings manufacturers on "aggressive compliance activity" initiated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) involving the district's Rule 1113 on architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings.

The NPCA said the actions include requests to coatings retailers for an inventory of their current AIM products; a general compliance-warning letter to users; and the issuance of Notices to Comply and Notices of Violation to several manufacturers following compliance audits at various coatings production facilities and retail outlets.

The NPCA said the SCAQMD is describing the activities as "outreach" efforts and part of the district's responsibilities to educate manufacturers, distributors, sellers and end users of AIM coatings. But the association said the activities are "causing a great deal of concern and work on the part of coatings manufacturers, retailers and end users."

In response, the NPCA said it has contacted the SCAQMD staff seeking clarifications of the requests for information and Notices to Comply and to request a reduction in the information being requested.

More information, including NPCA suggestions on company responses to the SCAQMD actions, is available on the NPCA website, located at www.paint.org.