CPSC Rules on Lead Testing

While this will certainly be posted to a number of lists, it is important to youth services staff.

The American Library Association has reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSA) has released the final rule on children’s products containing lead.  In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).  CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially contain lead.  According to ALA conversations with CPSC officials, that Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.

While awaiting the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take the following actions.  If a library is aware that any children’s book does indeed contain lead above the legal limits or otherwise presents a danger to children, it should remove it from public access, for instance by moving it to the non-circulating collection.  ALA also asks that, if libraries do learn of any books containing lead, please inform the ALA – Washington Office so that it might share that information with other libraries.  When the Statement of Policy is released, ALA will send out notification.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, assistant director of the ALA Office of Government Relations, at jmcgilvray@alwash.org or 1-800-941-8478.