Complying with Lead Regulations

A Proactive Approach to Brand Protection


Business Challenge

Lead is a known toxic substance that is frequently used in manufacturing of paints, plastics, dyes and ceramics. In today's marketplace, increased consumer concern about lead in products is driving retailers and manufacturers to re-evaluate both their quality assurance processes and products for the potential presence of lead and other chemicals of high concern. Recently, a number of products in the retail market have been identified as containing excessive levels of lead per federal requirements, resulting in costly recalls.

Overall, the key challenge is to know what chemical substances are in your products, as well as the regulatory restrictions related to these substances. The risk is not knowing what is in your product.

Solution

Lead is regulated under federal, state and industry mandates; therefore businesses should have a thorough knowledge of the regulatory environment. As companies operate in a complex global supply chain environment, compliance requires a vigilant and multi-pronged approach that goes beyond cursory testing on finished products. Key components of a comprehensive program include:

• Knowledge of regulations and industry standards relating to the countries you produce in or distribute to
• Understanding your products and the chemicals used to produce them and present in them
• Effectively communicating your policy and requirements related to traceability of substances within your company and full supply chain
• Implementing a robust supply chain monitoring program

Benefits
• Protection of environment and consumer's health
• Maintain brand image and consumer confidence
• Compliance to federal, state and industry requirements
• Minimize costly recalls

Our Approach

Our technical professionals will assist you in reviewing your company’s chemical policies and recommending areas of improvement, so that you are able to implement sound practices to manage your supply chain risk. By using our services, you can gain confidence, control and traceability over your supply chain.

One of the key components to effectively monitoring your supply chain is to implement a robust program that includes:

Chemical Management System Audits: Protects your business risk through audits designed to assist your manufacturers improve traceability and control of their chemical substances.
• Assess chemical substances management relating to research and development, procurement, incoming material quality control, raw material/components warehouse, production line, finished product warehouse, and quality assurance.

Raw Material Assessment: Avoids costly delays during production by pre-screening raw materials and components.
• Review the Bill of Substances (BOS) for your raw materials and Bill of Material (BOM) for your sub-components, components and product.

Sample Collection: Facilitates testing of representative samples through independent sample collection from production lines.
• On-site factory visits to collect samples from the production line for testing by Bureau Veritas.

Testing Throughout The Production Cycle: Minimizes your risk of product recalls by validating product specification and conformity to regulatory and safety issues.
• Validate conformity against your established standards in raw materials, components, pre-production and final product
• Identify restrictive chemical substances per regulations, industry and/or your company standards.

Pre-Shipment Inspections: Validates compliance and prevents shipping delays through product verification during and after manufacturing.
• During-Product Inspection (DPI) and Final Product Inspection (FPI) may be combined with Sample Collection and Testing to help you minimize the shipment of defective goods.
- DPI: Inspection at 40 – 60% of production
- FPI: Inspection at 100% production and 80% packing

Why Choose Bureau Veritas?

Reputation
Bureau Veritas has been a respected name in the industry since 1828. Our Consumer Products Services division has successfully helped top manufacturers and retailers around the world better manage risk and achieve regulatory compliance for over 30 years.

Worldwide Locations
With over 700 offices and laboratories in 140 countries, including over 50 locations specializing in consumer products, Bureau Veritas offers you the convenience of global coverage with local service where you need it.

Technical Knowledge & Leadership
Our staff participates in the development of international, industry and regulatory standards worldwide, keeping you and us at the forefront of changes in safety requirements and testing methods.

Personalized Service
At Bureau Veritas, we are committed to meeting your evolving needs and helping you anticipate new market trends. We offer you customized and specialized services to meet your quality assurance needs throughout your supply chain. Providing you with the highest level of service is a priority for us.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is lead so highly regulated?
Lead has long been recognized as a hazard to consumers. Lead is a highly toxic substance, exposure to which can produce a wide range of negative health effects. These effects include neurological damage, delayed mental and physical development, attention and learning deficiencies, and hearing problems. Lead accumulates in the body, so even exposures to small amounts of lead can contribute to the overall accumulation of lead in the blood and to the subsequent risk to a person's health.
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Related Links
Chemical Overview