New Lead Limits for Consumer Products May Impact Metalcasting Operations

Released June 24, 2009

The Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act of 2008 set new federal lead limits for products that may be used by children. Specifically, products designed primarily for children 12 years of age or younger may not contain more than 300 parts per million by August 14. The lead limit will be reduced further to 100 parts per million by August 14, 2011 and will be enforced by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

While the requirements are focused primarily on children’s products, they have been broadly interpreted such that many metalcasting products may be impacted. Metalcasting facilities should assess its products to determine if these new requirements will impact its operations.

To assist members, AFS has prepared a summary of the new requirements such as applicability, certification and testing provisions, which can be downloaded by clicking here.