The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand is calling for submissions regarding proposed changes to a series of group standards to reduce the maximum allowable levels of lead in paint.
Interested parties are encouraged to provide information, make comments, and raise issues to contribute to the EPA decision-making process. The deadline for submissions is January 26, 2024.
Group standards are approvals and rules for using a group of hazardous substances of a similar nature, type or use. The following group standards are currently in place for the management of paints in New Zealand:
Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standards: covering most paints
Aerosols Group Standards: covering spray paints
Corrosion Inhibitors Group Standards: covering anti-rust paints and products
Graphic Materials Group Standard: covering painting and drawing products
The current lead level limit for paints covered by the Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standards and the Aerosols Group Standards is 0.1% (1000 parts per million/ppm). The proposed changes seek to reduce this limit to 0.009% (90ppm), aligning with countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States.
The Corrosion Inhibitors Group Standards currently do not specify any maximum lead level limits. The EPA proposes amending the group standards to include lead level limits in the same way as the Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standards and the Aerosols Group Standards.
In addition, the migration (leaching) limits of relevant toxic elements (such as antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium) in the Graphic Materials Group Standard are proposed to be updated to align with the Australian/New Zealand Standard entitled Safety of Toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements (AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2021).
Among other proposed changes, the scope of these group standards will be amended to ensure that all graphic materials marketed to children are only covered by the Graphic Materials Group Standard. Additionally, importers and manufacturers of children's graphic materials falling under the Graphic Materials Group Standard will no longer be required to notify the EPA of leachable element testing results.
If approved, the amendments to these group standards will take effect 6 months after being notified in the Gazette. Products that don’t meet the requirements of the amendments must be disposed of 6 months after the amendments' commencement.
