If you’ve ever wondered if the art supplies or craft materials you use in your studio or in the art room with your students are safe, wonder no more. The Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) has helped keep artists and student artists safe for more than 75 years.
What Is the ACMI?
It’s an international non-profit organization that promotes safety in art and creative products through its certification program. The ACMI conducts two evaluations:
1. 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.
2. The Cautionary Labeling, or CL seal, confirms that a product is labeled with the appropriate health warnings and 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 with a physical or mental handicap who is unable to read and understand safety labeling on packages.
To date, over 7,000 products are certified with the ACMI’s AP or CL seals. For a list of certified products, visit www.ACMIart.org/productlist.
How Are Products Certified?
The ACMI’s board-certified toxicology team evaluates all submitted products. Their evaluations work in conjunction with the federal regulations for art supplies, ASTM D 4236, as well as the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) and the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA).
Are School Specialty’s Products Certified?
Most of the Sax and School Smart art items that would require certification do have the AP Seal. We are always working with any new products to ensure they are certified.
How Will I Know if a School Specialty Product Has Been Certified?
The ACMI’s AP and CL icons appear in our catalog next to each product that is certified, is mentioned in the “Features” copy on the product web page as well as being visible on the product itself.
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 is what 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 www.ACMIart.org.
Does your school require that your art materials are ACMI certified? Always feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the safety of our products.
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