1. Background
Lead glaze is commonly used in ceramic and glassware products because it can improve the strength, air tightness, stain resistance, and glaze gloss of ceramics or glassware. Cadmium is often used in glaze additives to give the glaze a light yellow or orange color.
Lead and cadmium are highly toxic and can affect health after ingestion, especially in children. Lead affects the nervous system and may produce psychiatric symptoms such as depression, forgetfulness, and confusion when ingested. Even small amounts of lead can cause problems with learning and behavior in children, and lead can also damage the kidneys and blood system. At the same time, lead can accumulate in the body, and continuous exposure to small amounts of lead may lead to an increase in the amount of lead in the body. High doses of lead can cause seizures, coma, and death. Cadmium can cause kidney damage and weak bones, and at higher levels, it can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and muscle cramps. Exposure to high concentrations of cadmium in a short period of time can lead to shock, collapse, and sometimes death.
2. Contact with lead and cadmium from glazed ceramics and glassware
If lead or cadmium is used in the glazes or other decorative elements of ceramics, glass products that come into contact with food, the lead or cadmium may become contaminated with the food in question, and these foods may introduce lead or cadmium into the body. Lead and cadmium dissolve very easily from the abrasion and cracked surfaces of utensils. It also dissolves more easily into hot foods and foods with high acid content.
3. Canadian Glazed Ceramics and Glassware Regulations (GCGR)
Glazed ceramics and glassware and related products manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada are subject to the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and the Canadian Glazed Ceramics and Glassware Regulations (GCGR). According to the GCGR, the lead and cadmium content of glazed ceramics and glassware needs to meet certain limits, otherwise the product cannot be used in food utensils. Such products must have design features or permanent warnings indicating that the product is not suitable for use in contact with food. In addition to these specific requirements, glazed ceramics and glassware are subject to CCPSA, which include:
- Prohibits the manufacture, import, advertising, or sale of any consumer product that "poses a threat to human health or safety" as defined in the CCPSA (paragraphs 7(a) and 8(a) of the CCPSA)
- Requirements for preparing and maintaining documents related to suppliers and the location and duration of retail sales of products (Article 13 of the CCPSA)
- Mandatory incident reporting requirements (Section 14 of the CCPSA).
Fourth, the product scope and examples of GCGR
The GCGR applies to products manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada that:
- Made entirely or partially of ceramic or glass
- Completely or partially covered by coatings, glazes, or decorations containing lead or cadmium
- Reasonably foreseeable for storage, preparation or serving of food
The following diagram shows examples of products within the GCGR range:
- A tumbler with a decorative glass
- Glazed ceramic tagine pot
- Glazed ceramic spoon
- Ceramic jug
- Ceramic cups and saucers with decorative glass
- Glazed ceramic table
- Glazed bowl
- Small glazed plates
- There are decorated cups near the edges
- Drinking glasses with decorative glass near the edges
5. Compliance Requirements
The amount of lead or cadmium that may be released in glazed ceramics or glassware is affected by the size and shape of the product. Therefore, the maximum limits of migratory lead and cadmium under GCGR are different for different sizes and shapes of products. The table below summarizes the limits of migratory lead and cadmium in glazed ceramics and glassware.
- Flatware refers to products with an internal depth of no more than 25 mm, measured vertically from the lowest point of the interior to the horizontal plane through the overflow point.
- Hollowware refers to products with an internal depth greater than 25 mm, measured vertically from the lowest point of the interior to the horizontal plane through the overflow point. If its capacity exceeds 1.1 liters, it is a large hollow vessel, and vice versa, a small hollow vessel.
- Cups or mugs refer to any small hollow vessel used to consume liquids.
- A pitcher is any large, hollow vessel used to store and dispense liquids, but does not include a cream pot, coffee pot, or tea pot.
The GCGR also provides an exception for products that are intended for decorative purposes only. Such products are not required to meet GCGR migratory lead and cadmium limits, but must have design features or permanent warnings indicating that the product is not suitable for storage, preparation, or containment of food.
1. Design features determine that the product is not suitable for storage, preparation or serving food. And these design features are permanent, such as:
- Holes are set up so that the product cannot contain food
- The product needs to be fitted with a hook or retainer, and the hook or retainer is not removable during the shelf life of the product to prevent it from being used to hold food
2. The warning language must include English and French, and the height must not be less than 3 mm, and the text form must be uppercase. A permanent warning is a warning that is clearly visible throughout the life of the product under normal use and cleaning conditions. Permanent warnings can be those that are engraved, embossed, or printed directly on the product.
DANGER!
CONTAINS LEAD — CONTIENT DU PLOMB
DO NOT USE FOR FOOD — NE PAS UTILISER POUR LES ALIMENTS
DANGER!
CONTAINS CADMIUM — CONTIENT DU CADMIUM
DO NOT USE FOR FOOD — NE PAS UTILISER POUR LES ALIMENTS
DANGER!
CONTAINS LEAD AND CADMIUM — CONTIENT DU PLOMB ET DU CADMIUM
DO NOT USE FOR FOOD — NE PAS UTILISER POUR LES ALIMENTS
Example of a warning label
The above content comes from Temu Seller Classroom.