What is ASTM D4236 Certification?

Introduction to ASTM D4236 Standard

ASTM D4236 is a standard developed by ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials), which outlines the safety requirements for labeling art and craft materials. This standard covers the packaging and labeling of art materials, aiming to ensure awareness of potential hazards in these materials and to protect the safety of users.

Art materials exported to the United States or sold on U.S. cross-border e-commerce platforms are required to comply with the ASTM D4236 standard under the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) regulations for LHAMA certification. Examples include: paints, crayons, brushes, pencils, chalk, glue, ink, canvas, stamps, and more.

ASTM D4236 Testing Content

According to the CPSC regulation 16 CFR 1500.14(b)(8), art materials must undergo LHAMA (Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act) certification in accordance with the ASTM D4236 standard.

Product Scope of ASTM D4236

The ASTM D4236 standard mainly applies to a variety of art materials and related products. Some common product categories include:

- Watercolor paints and oil paints  

- Inks and dyes  

- Adhesives and glues  

- Wax, clay, and other modeling materials  

- Sprayable art materials  

- Paper and other surface treatment products  

These products are widely used in painting, crafts, and other artistic creations. If these products are assessed by a certified ABT toxicologist and found to pose potential chronic hazards, LHAMA requires the following labeling:

1. A signal word (e.g., “Warning” or “Caution”)  

2. Description of the potential hazard  

3. Names of ingredients posing chronic hazards  

4. Safe handling instructions  

5. Names of allergenic ingredients  

6. Information on how to obtain health data  

7. Additional detailed technical data in supplemental documents, if necessary  

Even if art materials do not contain chronic toxicants, they must still display the statement “Conforms to ASTM D4236” on the packaging and product, to clearly inform consumers that the product meets the required safety standards.