CPSC Lowers Lead Limit for Children’s Products
On July 13, 2011 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 3-2 that it is technologically feasible for companies to produce products below the 100 parts per million (ppm) proposed limit. As it stands now, the new limit for total lead content in toys and children’s products will be lowered from 300 ppm to 100 ppm effective August 14, 2011. This applies to all products intended for children 12 and under. We have issued this document as a notice so that you may prepare for compliance with the new lead limits for metals, plastics, and other substrates.
The current total lead content limit for paints & coatings, regardless of whether the product is intended for children or not, still remains at 90 ppm
The stay of enforcement is still in effect, and is set to expire on December 31, 2011. At that time manufacturers, importers, and retailers of children’s products will be required to comply with the lead limits and provide certification for testing done by a CPSC approved third party laboratory. Although there is a stay on enforcement, certification based on third party testing by a CPSC accredited lab is required for children’s metal jewelry, paints, and coatings.
Please feel free to contact our lab for additional information regarding testing. Our laboratory is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), certificate number 1888.02. Additionally, we are a CPSC accredited lab, our laboratory identification number is 1030.