ASTM D4236

ASTM D4236 – Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards

Description:

Abstract

This practice describes the standard procedure for developing precautionary labels for art materials to provide chronic health hazard and precautionary statements based on knowledge that exists in the scientific and medical communities. These statements concern hazards known to be associated with a product or product component(s) when it is present in a physical form, volume, or concentration that in the opinion of a toxicologist has the potential to produce a chronic adverse health effect. This practice applies exclusively to art materials packaged in sizes intended for individual users of any age or those participating in a small group, and does not apply to products appropriately labeled for known chronic health hazards. Also, this practice does not specify test methods for determining whether a substance or product presents adverse chronic health effects. Labels should include the signal word WARNING, list of potentially chronic hazards, name of chronically hazardous component(s), safe handling instructions, list of sensitizing components, information sources, labeling content and product size, and other supplementary information.

Scope

1.1 This practice describes a procedure for developing precautionary labels for art materials and provides hazard and precautionary statements based upon knowledge that exists in the scientific and medical communities. This practice concerns those chronic health hazards known to be associated with a product or product component(s), when the component(s) is present in a physical form, volume, or concentration that in the opinion of a toxicologist (see 2.1.11) has the potential to produce a chronic adverse health effect(s).

1.2 This practice applies exclusively to art materials packaged in sizes intended for individual users of any age or those participating in a small group.

1.3 Labeling determinations shall consider reasonable foreseeable use or misuse. The responsibility for precautionary labeling rests with the producer or repackager who markets the materials for art or craft use.

1.4 This practice does not specify test methods for determining whether a substance or product presents chronic health hazards.

1.5 This practice does not apply to products appropriately labeled for known chronic health hazards in accordance with chemical substance labeling standards and practices, such as another national consensus standard, existing labeling statutes, regulations, or guidelines.

1.6 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.

1.7 Manufacturers or repackagers may wish to determine individually or collectively precautionary labeling for art materials in accordance with this practice. Compliance may be certified by a certifying organization. Guidelines for a certifying organization are given in Appendix X1.