Backgrounder - Proposed Consumer Products - Containing Lead Regulations

What are the proposed Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations?

The current Consumer Products Containing Lead (Contact with Mouth) Regulations under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) have a lead content limit of 90 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) for the following product categories:

• Toys for children under three years of age;
• Products whose normal use involves mouth contact.

Health Canada is proposing to replace the current regulations with new Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations. The new regulations would expand the scope of products covered under the current regulations to include:

• Toys intended for children between 3 and 14 years of age;
• Children’s clothing and accessories;
• Products whose primary purpose is to facilitate the relaxation, sleep, hygiene, carrying or transportation of a child less than 4 years of age.  

Currently, there are no specific lead content limits for these three product categories.

The lead limits proposed in the Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations align with lead limits under the CCPSA for other products that pose a similar exposure risk to children. They are also similar to lead-related health and safety requirements in the European Union and the United States.

Why isn’t Health Canada banning all lead from affected products?

Lead is present naturally in the environment so exposure to lead cannot be completely eliminated. Risk assessments by Health Canada scientists have determined that a 90 mg/kg total lead limit effectively stops the intentional addition of lead to products during the manufacturing process and helps protect children against toxicity associated with lead exposure. This limit is also similar to the current lead limit in the United States for toys and other children’s products.

What are the next steps?

The consultation period for this proposal is from December 3, 2016, to February 15, 2017.  After the 75-day consultation period, Health Canada will review all comments received and determine the appropriate next steps in the regulatory process.