Canada tightens regulation on lead content in toys

OTTAWA, CANADA (ScrapMonster): Canada will soon have the world's toughest regulations for lead content in toys and other products children might put in their mouths, officials said Monday.

The new regulations will limit the lead content in toys intended for children under 3 years of age to 0.009 percent, well below the allowable levels of any other country, Postmedia News reported. Reduced from the previous 0.06 per cent, the new standard will effectively eliminate the use of lead in most consumer paints and children's products, including furniture, toys, equipment and other products intended for children.

"As a mom, I'm proud that our new, tough regulations will make Canada a world leader in strict lead reduction in consumer products, especially toys," Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said.

Health Canada says the new limits are needed because even reputable companies that try to confirm lead has not been added intentionally to their products can still have problems with quality control when importing huge volumes of goods in complex supply chains.

The new regulations will give the government legal authority to prevent the importation or sale of products exceeding the lowered limit of lead.The regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette on Dec. 8, the Toronto Star said. (iWireNews ™ and OfficialWire)