The safety of students is always top of mind for teachers. The Art and Creative Materials Institute, or ACMI, has helped keep artists and student artists safe for over 80 years.
What Is the ACMI?
The ACMI is an international non-profit organization that promotes safety in art and creative products through its certification program. They conduct evaluations to certify products and materials with the appropriate seal.
Approved Product Seal
The Approved Product, or AP seal, certifies that a tested product is non-toxic and safe when used as directed. These products are safe for all ages and encouraged for use in classrooms.
Cautionary Labeling Seal
The Cautionary Labeling, or CL seal, confirms that a product is labeled with the appropriate health warnings and is safe if used as intended. This seal appears on only a small percentage of adult art materials in ACMI’s certification program. These products should never be given to children in grade 6 or lower or anyone unable to read and understand safety labeling on packages.
Each product or material should have one of these seals to notify you that it was evaluated by ACMI and carries the specified certification. If you’re unsure if a product you’re about to purchase has been tested by ACMI, use their certified product search tool to either confirm its status or find a certified alternative.
How Are Products Certified?
The ACMI’s board-certified toxicology team evaluates all submitted products. Their evaluations consider all relevant federal and state regulations for art supplies, including ASTM D 4236, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), and the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA).
Are School Specialty’s Products ACMI-Certified?
Most Sax and School Smart arts and crafts items that would require certification do have the AP Seal. We are always working with any new products to ensure they are properly tested and certified. The ACMI certifications are noted on the product web page under Specifications and visible on the physical product.
Look for the ACMI seals as you shop for your art supplies. Remember that understanding a product’s intended use and how to use it properly makes it safe. Never eat, drink, or smoke when using art materials or craft supplies, and always retain the original packaging to keep safety information on hand. Clean yourself and your materials thoroughly after use. For more information on the ACMI’s certification program, visit the ACMI website.
Does your school require that your art materials be ACMI-certified? Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the safety of our products!
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