In recent years, recall case of CPSC caused by excessive lead content are reported frequently. Lead has been used widely in various consumer products including toys, children's jewelry, packaging materials, food containers, ceramic products, furniture, stationery, metal fittings, etc., which are closely related with people's lives. Excessive lead will cause significant hazard to human health and environment, such as it will affect the child's IQ if the level of lead accumulation in blood is too high. To ensure the human health, and reduce the pollution induced by accumulation of lead in environment, many country implement relevant regulations or standards to control the safe level of lead content in products.
(1) According to US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008, since February 10, 2009, ASTM F963 will become mandatory standard, and the lead content limit of paint will be reduced to 90ppm (Even though this request has been suspended by CPSC temporarily, the producers also have the obligation to meet the requirements);
(2) According to the bill proposed by Canadian government in June 2009, the lead content limit of possible mouth-contact products will be reduced from the current 600ppm to 90ppm; (including mouth toy designed for the children under age 3 years old );
(3) According to US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008, since February 10, 2009, the total lead content is limited to 600ppm; after August 14, 2009, the total lead content is limited to 300ppm; after August 14,2011, the total lead content is limited to 100ppm.