TPCH makes permanent its glassware exemption to model legislation that bans use of lead and cadmium in packaging
The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) voted on October 28 to make permanent model provisions exempting glass and ceramic packaging from the group’s model packaging legislation that bans the intentional addition of four metals from packaging including cadmium and lead. TPCH voted to approve the exemption based on a review of ASTM’s new C1606-04 Standard Test Method for Sampling Protocol for TCLP Testing of Container Glassware which SGCDpro developed in cooperation with Ceram Research. To qualify for the exemption, a glass or ceramic package producer must demonstrate that its ware would pass a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test after preparing a sample for that test using the ASTM C1606-04 method. TCLP results must not exceed 1.0 ppm for cadmium, 5.0 ppm for lead, and 5.0 for hexavalent chromium. The exemption had been scheduled to expire on December 31, 2004. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C21 Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products Committee voted on September 29 to approve the C1606 test.
The State of Minnesota bases its exemption for in-state glass and ceramic
decorators from its lead products ban on the continuation of the TPCH exemption.
In addition, 19 states have enacted the TPCH model legislation (commonly referred
to as CONEG legislation), and 4 states have formally enacted the glassware
exemption. SGCDpro will now encourage states to formally adopt the exemption.
A summary of the amended TPCH legislation is available as part of SGCDpro’s
November 2004 White Paper regulatory summary. Contact Andy Bopp with any questions,
703-838-2810.
New Approved ASTM Standards
C1606 - Standard Test Method for Sampling Protocol for TCLP Testing of Container Glassware.