XRF Applications Blog

Monday, February 23, 2009

CPSIA Still Requires Proof of Lead Content

CPSC Provides Relief...In The Short Term

Eastern Applied Research received a lot of interest in our third party lead testing services and the new Handheld XRF for Lead Screening as the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) deadline approached.  However, just before the February 10th deadline of enforcement the CPSC provided a one-year stay of enforcement; relieving the worries of many small retailers, manufacturers and importers. 

However - the stay provides relief on proving compliance but companies still need to know the lead content of their product lines.  We have seen many companies that were moving at the last minute to prove compliance getting pro-active and using the stay to benefit their organization in both the short and long term.

The stay provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for total lead content limits (600 ppm) and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

In a press release announcing the stay, the CPSC noted:

“…The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead. Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.”

As noted, many organizations are using this stay to be better prepared for when they are required to show compliance; Eastern Applied offer third party testing and handheld instrument options to screen for lead content in products   —   Contact Eastern Applied to discuss your approach to lead content...

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• RoHS and Lead Testing