The aims of this study were to improve the emission test method for the 20 L small chamber standardized in Korea using paints and to develop an optical test method for paints. The emission factors of the total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and formaldehyde from oil-based paints, emulsion paints and water-dispersion paints coated at 300 g/m(2) and cured for 24 (48)h were determined using the 20 L small chamber method. The emission factors of TVOC and formaldehyde from all paints under steady state conditions were determined after 7 days with 24 (48)h of curing. The Korean standards require that paints be measured and analyzed on the third day after a test. However, the emission factors of TVOC and formaldehyde from the paints only began to stabilize 7 days after installing the samples. Until now, the emission test results have been reported mainly as concentration vs. time or emission factor vs. time profiles of TVOC and formaldehyde. The emission factors of the target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehyde types were obtained under specific test conditions according to the different coating weights. For all target volatile organic compounds and aldehyde types examined, the paint coating weight had an effect on emission. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.