Paints - Special Business Regulations - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 20500

This law makes it illegal for anyone in the state to make, sell, or offer any paints, oils, varnishes, pigments, or related substances that are considered to be adulterated or tampered with under the definitions provided in this chapter.

No person shall within this State manufacture for sale, offer for sale or sell any article, mixture, compound or substance, used in making paints, oils, varnishes or pigments, which is adulterated within the meaning of this chapter.

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Section § 20501

This law outlines when certain products, like oils, turpentines, alcohol, paints, or pigments, are considered 'adulterated' or impure. For oils and similar substances, they are adulterated if they contain different ingredients, are mixed to reduce quality, have cheaper substitutes, or are imitation products. For paints and pigments, they are adulterated if mixed with substances that lower quality or if they mimic other products.

An article under this chapter is adulterated within the meaning of this chapter:

(a) In case of oils, turpentines, alcohol or other vehicles under any of the following circumstances:

(1) If it contains any other substance or ingredient different from the article under the name of which it is offered for sale or sold.

(2) If any substance has been mixed with it so as to lower, depreciate or injuriously affect the quality, strength or purity of the article.

(3) If any inferior or cheaper substance or substances have been substituted wholly or in part for it.

(4) If it is an imitation, or is sold under the name of any other article.

(b) In case of lead, zinc, ocher or other metal, mineral or chemical paints, or any or other pigments in paste form and labeled pure, used in the painting or decorating industry under any of the following circumstances:

(1) If any substance which lowers, depreciates or injuriously affects the quality, strength or purity of the article has been mixed with it, or substituted wholly or in part for it.

(2) If it is an imitation of any other article.

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Section § 20502

If someone tampers with or waters down a product covered by this law and sells it as if it's untouched, they are breaking the law. It is also illegal to sell something different from what you said it was without telling the buyer. Doing these things is considered a misdemeanor, which is a type of crime.

Every person who adulterates or dilutes any article mentioned in this chapter and sells or offers for sale the same so diluted or adulterated, as undiluted and unadulterated, every person who sells or offers for sale a different article without informing the purchaser of such difference, and every person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.

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