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 are safe for use 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 non-toxic should not be used in the presence of children or in environments with persons who are unable to understand safety labeling information.
ACMI Certification of Products For more information on the testing of products, contact ACMI at (781) 556-1044 or visit their website. For more information on the safety of products we carry, call our customer service department at 800-322-3247 or contact us with your request. |
Health & Safety Labels
AP Seal, non-toxicProducts bearing the AP Approved Products Seal are certified by the Art & Craft Materials Institute (ACMI) to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause chronic or acute health problems. These products are safe to use in the classroom, even with young children.
CL - Cautionary Label, Not Recommended for use with ChildrenProducts bearing the CL Cautionary Label Seal have health warnings associated with them and are not recommended for use around young children. These products should be used with caution and adult supervision is recommended.
PMA ApprovedProducts bearing the PMA Approved Seal are certified by the Pencil Makers Association (PMA). This seal indicates that the products do not contain any materials which cause acute or chronic health hazards.
Proposition 65According 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. If the product is non-toxic, then no warning needs to be included on the label. However, if the product is found to carry acute or chronic health hazards, the information on the label must alert the consumer to those hazards.
Non-toxic
Many safe products do not carry an AP Seal. Although these products have not been offically certified by ACMI, they are properly identified as non-toxic and can be safely used in any classroom setting.
Food Safe Glazes
The term Food Safe should not be confused with Non-toxic, which refers to the product in its unfired state. Food Safe 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 Food Safe 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.