News

BALTIMORE, MD: Trace Laboratories, Inc., a full-service, internationally accredited, independent testing organization, has been awarded approval by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a Conformity Assessment Body and third party testing laboratory for the certification of children’s products. Trace will test products for lead content, lead in paint, lead in jewelry, total phthalate content and heavy metals.

New legislation will eventually require third party testing for all consumer products intended for use by children twelve years of age and younger. The focus of the CPSC approval is to evaluate the lead content in these products and the amount of lead in the paint used in these products.

Trace will offer formal testing of various children’s products for compliance under the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). With its official third party test lab status, Trace will be able to provide manufacturers, retailers, distributors, inventors, and private labelers with an economical and prompt solution for meeting the new requirements and regulations.

The new limits on the amount of lead used in children’s products are to be phased in over the course of three years. As of February 10, 2009, the total lead content in a product is limited to 600 parts per million (ppm). Products analyzed and determined to contain more than 600 ppm are banned from sale in the United States. On August 14, 2009, this limit will be reduced from 600 ppm to 300 ppm, and on August 14, 2011, it will be further reduced to 100 ppm.

Lead in paint and coatings limits will reduce from 600 ppm to 90 ppm on August 14, 2009. This is not to be confused with total lead content, which refers to the entire amount of lead contained within the product.

Upon the completion of the testing program, Trace will provide manufacturers with a report that will enable them to complete the “Certificate of Compliance” required by section 14 (g) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2063(g). These certificates will be required for all domestic manufacturers and importers of overseas products.

In addition to these tests, Trace can also test children’s products for phthalates and heavy metal content per CPSC requirements and ASTM F963 – 07.

For more information on testing for lead in children’s products, the new CPSC requirements, or for information on any of Trace’s extensive testing capabilities, please contact: Trace Laboratories, Inc., 5 North Park Drive, Hunt Valley, MD 21030. Phone: 410-584-9099. Web:www.tracelabs.com. Email: info@tracelabs.com.

About Trace Laboratories, Inc.: Established over 25 years ago, Trace offers state-of-the-art testing, qualification, analysis, automation, and training in the areas of compliance, life cycle testing, printed circuit board design and best practices. Trace Laboratories has the ability to design and fabricate automation equipment for long-term reliability testing. Trace Laboratories, Inc. has facilities in Hunt Valley, MD, Palatine, IL, Carthage, IL, and Shanghai, China.