The USA's Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) maintains the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation and coordinates implementation of state legislation, based on the Model, on behalf of its member states, with the goal of promoting consistency across states. The Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation was developed in 1989 to reduce the amount of four heavy metals in packaging and packaging components sold or distributed throughout the states. Legislation based on this Model has been adopted by nineteen states. The influence of the Model Legislation extends beyond US borders. The European Union, for example, uses the Model as the basis of its packaging requirements (94/62/EC). Incidental Presence Concentration Limits No intentional introduction of any amount of the four metals is allowed. The sum of the concentration levels of incidentally introduced lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium present in any package or individual packaging component shall not exceed 100 parts per million by weight. The manufacturer, supplier and distributor to the purchaser must submit a certificate of compliance stating that a package or packaging component is in compliance with the requirements of the law. The purchaser, manufacturer, supplier, and distributor should keep a copy of the signed certificate of compliance on file as long as that package is in use. (This provision does not apply to individual retail purchasers.) The certificate of compliance is subject to state and public review upon request. Factsheets, and other information is available from: www.toxicsinpackaging.org/model-legislation/
