United Art and Education is extremely concerned about the safe use of our products, especially among children. We have attempted not only to identify items that can be used by children, but also to highlight those that should not be used without supervision, or by children under 3 years of age. Products that have not been properly labeled as safe should not be used in the presence of children or in environments with persons who are unable to understand safety labeling information.

Health & Safety Labels

AP Seal
The AP Seal identifies art materials that are certified in a toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems. These products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D4236, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) including the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). These products are safe to use in the classroom, even with young children.

CL - Cautionary Label, Not For Use with Children
The CL Seal with cautionary labeling identifies products that are certified to be properly labeled in a program of toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) for any known health risks and with information on the proper use of these materials. These products are also certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D4236, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) including the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). These products should never be given to children in grade 6 or lower, or anyone who for any reason is unable to read, understand or implement safety labeling and instructions.

PMA Approved
Products bearing the PMA Approved Seal are certified by the Pencil Makers Association (PMA). It represents that pencils have been reviewed by a board-certified toxicologist and labeled properly in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and the 1988 LHAMA amendment to that Act.

Proposition 65
According to California Proposition 65 regulation, products containing one or more of the following chemicals must display this warning: unbound Titanium Dioxide and/or Lithium Carbonate; Silica, crystalline (airborne particles of respirable size); Cumene; Ceramic fibers (airborne particles of respirable size); Lead; Formaldehyde (gas); Mineral Oil; Methanol. These are all chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive problems. In addition, drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Conforms to ASTM D4236
Products that carry this statement conform to the labeling standards of the Hazardous Art Materials Act. However, since knowledge about chronic health hazards is incomplete and warnings cannot cover all uses of any product, it is not possible for precautionary labeling to ensure completely safe use of an art product.

FDA-Compliant Glazes
This wording should not be confused with AP Seal safety, which refers to the product in its unfired state. FDA-Compliant is referring to the fired finish of the glaze and the amount of lead or other heavy metals that are leached when the glaze surface is interrupted. All glazes marked as FDA-Compliant have been found to meet the FDA standards. This does not cover layering glazes, nor does it cover glazes fired above, or below the recommended firing temperature. For this, the customer should be testing their work to ensure food safety.

Choking Hazards
In accordance with the Consumer Products Safety Act of 2008, all toy products must carry a cautionary statement if they are or contain small parts, balloons, balls or marbles. A product exhibiting a cautionary label includes the nature of the hazard and the appropriate user age.