New Zealand EPA Releases Graphic Materials Group Standard 2018 for Certain Children’s Products

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Graphic Materials Group Standard 2018 for certain children’s products.

The document applies to graphic material which means a material which is deposited onto another material by a graphics instrument including fingers and hands for writing, drawing, painting or marking, and includes but is not limited to:

• a crayon;
• a water colour paint;
• a finger paint;
• pastels, chalk, coloured pencils and felt pens.

The document also specifies the following:

• The maximum leachable quantity limits of certain elements in graphic materials are specified in subclause (4) of this Group Standard. The acceptable standards/test methods are British Standard EN 71.3 or the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2003.
• The conditions that specify the obligations and restrictions for substances covered by this Group Standard are set out in Schedule 1 including:
  • Compliance with EPA Notices for labelling and advertising; Safety Data Sheets; packaging; disposal; and restrictions on supply and use; and
  • Notification to the Environmental Protection Authority.
• The manufacturer or importer of a graphic material must ensure that it complies with clause 4 of this Group Standard; and keep a record of how it was determined that it complies with clause 4 of this Group Standard. This record must contain sufficient information to allow for independent verification that it complies with clause 4 of this Group Standard; and have that record available for inspection.
• Graphic materials must not cause harm or damage to human health under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use such as:
  • presentation of the graphic material in any retail or consumer package;
  • labelling of the graphic material including any labelling or markings on the retail or consumer package;
  • any instructions for its use and disposal;
  • any other information provided by the manufacturer or importer.

A person relying on this Group Standard will have four years (until May 28, 2022) to comply with the Labelling, Safety Data Sheet and Packaging Notices. Within that time, a person may comply with the equivalent conditions in the Group Standard in force immediately before May 28, 2018. All other aspects of this Group Standard apply from May 28, 2018.

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