Heavy Metal Ban Delayed

The USA's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed its ban on the use of lead and cadmium-containing pigments to decorate the lip and rim area of glass tumblers in order to consider how best to implement it in a reasonable manner. The delay follows the submission of a paper by the SGCD and a subsequent meeting. The FDA has explained that the issues involved in banning lead and cadmium decoration are not as simple or straightforward as was originally thought. However, the body reiterated its intention to ban the materials use in the lip and rim area, but the effective date is now expected to be no earlier than November or December. Until the ban is implemented, the current voluntary standard will remain in force. (whole item)