Industry Information
This Canadian Printing Ink Manufacturers’ Association (CPIMA) has been in service since 1932 and at present represents approximately 80% of the volume of printing ink manufactured in Canada. It represents its members to both Federal and Provincial Governments in legislative and environments matters. It encourages understanding and efficient use of its products emphasizing technical competence and social responsibility.
CPIMA is affiliated with NAPIM (National Association of Printing Inks Manufacturers) and the Society of British Printing Ink Manufacturers. The printing ink industry in Canada is represented by the CPIMA and provides position papers on technical issues and supports the Oil & Colour Chemists Organization's course for printing ink technicians to promote technical education in our industry.
The Association collects sales data, technical information and other matters common to the Industry and provides them to its members.
Technical Bulletins
Solving "Heavy Metal" Compliance
The term “heavy metals” has been used as a group name for metals and semi-metals that have been associated with contamination and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity. There is no standard regulatory definition of “heavy metal”. Some regulations list the applicable “heavy metals” of concern others do not. Many times the list of “heavy metals” differs from one regulation to the next.
When North American customers request “heavy metal” compliance, they are usually referring to C.O.N.E.G’s Toxic in Packaging Legislation, the ASTM Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety F 963 (ASTM F 963-08), or the European Standard on Safety of Toys EN 71 Part 3 : 1994 + A1:2000 + A1/AC:2000 + AC:2002
Toxics in Packaging (C.O.N.E.G.) legislation is designed to phase out the use and presence of mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium in packaging. The total of the four metals is not to be greater than 100 ppm. The European version of this legislation is 94/62/EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste.
The “Toy Standards” -- ASTM F963 and EN71-- identify possible hazards that may not be readily recognized by the public, and that may be encountered in the normal use for which a toy is intended or after reasonably foreseeable abuse. These standards include restrictions on the soluble levels of Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Selenium and total Lead in surface coating materials used for toys. The ISO Global Toy Standard (IS 8124-3) also addresses these elements. The incidental (i.e. contaminant) soluble levels for these eight specific elements in surface coating materials must not exceed the limits outlined below:
Element |
ASTM F963-08 |
EN71-3 1994 |
IS 8124-3: 1997 |
Lead |
90 mg/kg |
90 mg/kg |
90 mg/kg |
Antimony |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
Arsenic |
25 mg/kg |
25 mg/kg |
25 mg/kg |
Barium |
1000 mg/kg |
1000 mg/kg |
1000 mg/kg |
Cadmium |
75 mg/kg |
75 mg/kg |
75 mg/kg |
Chromium |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
Mercury |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
60 mg/kg |
Selenium |
500 mg/kg |
500 mg/kg |
500 mg/kg |
Depending on where the final consumer lives, the toy related coating materials must also comply with:
- U.S. Federal Code of Regulations section 16 CFR 1303 - Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint; (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx/cfr-table-search.html) or
- Canadian Hazardous Products Act, Chapter H-3, Part 2 of Schedule 1 (amended December 2010) restricting the amount of Lead, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, mercury, and selenium present in the decorative or protective coating of toys, equipment and other products for use by a child in learning or play.
Seven of these eight elements are rarely, if ever, used in printing ink formulations. Barium, however, is a component of warm red and other pigments that may be used in spot colours. It is therefore important for the printer to specify Barium-free inks when printing children’s toys or packaging.
Compliance with the above regulations and standards will not guarantee compliance with Brand owners restricted materials guidelines. These internally developed guidelines include materials that may not currently be subjected to regulatory control. For example, one Brand owner prohibits the use of molybdenum containing pigments, another prohibits the use of certain benzidine yellows. To ensure that the ink meets the customer’s requirements, the printer should provide the ink manufacturer with the relevant guidelines.