From Bureau Veritas Group:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved changes to the criteria for acceptance of accreditation of third-party conformity assessment bodies for testing to the lead paint and surface coating regulations in 16 CFR 1303. The changes require that currently approved third-party assessment bodies, also known as third-party testing laboratories, become accredited to perform one or more of three CPSC-approved test methods by April 5, 2013. Two of the test methods, CPSC-CHE1003-09 and CPSC-CH-E1003-09.1, involve wet chemistry techniques while the third, ASTM F2853, calls for the use of a specific piece of XRF equipment.

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From: Health Canada

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced new regulations and amendments to an existing regulation under the Hazardous Products Act that will restrict the amount of lead in a variety of consumer products, including children’s toys.

The Government of Canada will reduce lead levels significantly through regulatory limits for products intended for use in play or learning by children under three years of age, as well as some consumer products that are likely to come into contact with the mouth (i.e. baby bottle nipples, soothers, beverage straws, mouthpieces of musical instruments, and sports mouthpieces).

As well, amendments to the Surface Coating Materials Regulations have reduced the amount of lead in consumer paints and other surface coating materials, including those applied on children’s toys and furniture.

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From the Bureau Veritas Group:

An amendment to the Lead in Surface Coating requirements in the Canadian Hazardous Products Act has been proposed by Parliament. This proposal would reduce the total lead limit for surface coatings from 600 mg/kg to 90 mg/kg for furniture, toys, other articles intended for children, equipment and other products used by children for play or learning, pencils and artists’ brushes. The amendment would bring the Canadian requirement in line with the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). A 75-day comment period is effective as of February 27, 2010 for interested parties.

To view the proposed bill click the following: Regulations Amending the Surface Coating Materials Regulations

For more information or to submit a comment see the link above.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: CCCR compliance, WHMIS MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring