Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA) Evaluation

If you are marketing art materials in the United States (U.S.), your products may need to comply with the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). Intertek’s board-certified toxicologists provide LHAMA evaluations in compliance with ASTM D-4236 for a wide range of art materials marketed in the U.S.

The LHAMA regulations require that art materials be evaluated for potential to cause chronic hazards to the consumer, and suitable warning statements must be included on the label to conform to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) designated D 4236.  The reviewed materials can be labeled with “Conforms to ASTM D-4236”.

Intertek’s board-certified toxicologists review the products and specify the appropriate Chronic Hazard Statements, as needed.  Intertek can also suggest other labeling phrases, warnings and warning symbols that may be necessary on the package of the product other than LHAMA requirements (e.g., California Proposition 65). Upon request, Intertek can also evaluate the art material formulations for compliance with other regulations including the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) (16 CFR Part 1500) and/or the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations (CCCR) (SOR /2001-269) should products also be marketed in Canada.

Our LHAMA services include:

• Evaluation of the chronic toxicity of the individual chemical ingredients of the formulation used to manufacture the product:
  • each ingredient is assessed for its chronic hazard potential including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, sensitization, and general organ and tissue toxicities in relation to the potential for consumer exposure to the chemical
  • potential for synergistic or unpredictable adverse effects from the combination of ingredients is considered 
   
• Exposure considerations:
  • oral, dermal, inhalation, eye contact exposures, as applicable 
  • characteristics of the product such as physical form, size/volume, and accessibility
  • intended use and age of user
  • normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse
   
• All art material formulations are reviewed by experts certified by the American Board of Toxicology
• CPSC labeling requirements (16 CFR §1500.14; 57 FR 46626)
• ASTM D-4236 (LHAMA certification) 

Products requiring LHAMA certification:

• Art materials including but not limited to: crayons, paint, inks (marker, pen, highlighter), chalk, watercolor disks, colored pencils, clays, ceramics, adhesives and glue.