December 5, 2025

RadTech’s very own Rita Loof has addressed an important regulatory concern regarding UV/EB technology and the ability to locate listings in the BACT databases at the local, state and federal levels.

BACT Listings for UV+EB

What is BACT?

BACT (Best Available Control Technology) is a regulatory requirement under the Clean Air Act, referring to the most effective and technically feasible pollution-control method required for new or modified equipment. The federal version is called Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER). Generally, local rules (especially in Southern California) are more stringent than federal requirements.

For UV+EB users, BACT means:

• Using low-VOC to zero-VOC materials.
• Demonstrating that UV/EB technology achieves emissions levels equivalent to (or better than) control devices.
• Meeting (or exceeding) regulatory requirements from various agencies (e.g., South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).

Because BACT is determined on a case-by-case basis by each agency, the listings can be confusing and inconsistent across databases. This obscures the significant environmental and reporting benefits of UV/EB technology.

To address this, RadTech’s Environmental Health & Safety Committee (EHS), along with a volunteer team, has been advocating for the inclusion of UV/EB/LED in regulatory guidelines for over a decade. Led by Rita Loof, RadTech’s West Coast Director, our successful efforts to include UV+EB processes in the listings are a victory for our industry and part of our commitment to easing regulatory compliance burdens.

UV+EB Listings include:

• Screen printing on plastic stock (smart cards)
• Screen printing posters, banners, and brochures
• Coatings for sheets used in can manufacturing
• Wood product coatings
• Lithographic printing