Fact Sheet

TPCH Fact Sheet Revised November 2023

Original 1989 Model Legislation

The original Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation was developed in 1989 to reduce the amount of four heavy metals in packaging and packaging components sold or distributed throughout the states. The influence of the Model Legislation extends beyond US borders. The European Union, for example, uses the Model as the basis of its packaging requirements (94/62/EC).

Legislation based on this Model has been adopted by the following nineteen states (states in bold are TPCH members): California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

 

2021 Model Legislation Update

The 2021 update of the model legislation includes the addition of the class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and ortho-phthalates as regulated chemicals, as well as new processes and criteria for identifying and regulating additional chemicals of high concern in packaging. No state has amended its current toxics in packaging law to add the updated model legislation language in its entirety. Some states have adopted certain provisions of the 2021 model legislation, found here. TPCH released guidance for the 2021 update that can be found here.

 

Incidental Presence Concentration Limits

For compliance with the 19 original toxics in packaging laws, no intentional introduction of any amount of the four metals is allowed.  The sum of the concentration levels of incidentally introduced lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium present in any package or individual packaging component shall not exceed 100 parts per million by weight.

 

Who is Responsible for Compliance?

  • Manufacturers of packaging and packaging components
  • Suppliers of packaging and packaging components
  • Product manufacturers or distributors who use packaging
  • For Iowa, manufacturers and distributors are responsible for compliance.

 

How to Comply

The manufacturer, supplier and distributor to the purchaser must submit a certificate of compliance stating that a package or packaging component is in compliance with the requirements of the law. The purchaser, manufacturer, supplier, and distributor should keep a copy of the signed certificate of compliance on file as long as that package is in use. (This provision does not apply to individual retail purchasers.)  The certificate of compliance is subject to state and public review upon request. TPCH provides a sample certificate of compliance for your use on the TPCH website here.

 

Exemptions

All packages and packaging components are subject to state laws, as applicable, except:

  • Packages and packaging components to which heavy metals have been added in order to comply with health and safety requirements specified by federal law. (2-year exemption – requires approval)

 

Concentration Limits for Post Consumer Recycled Content

Packages and packaging components that would not exceed the maximum contaminant levels, but for the addition of recycled materials provided that the packages and packaging components do not exceed a maximum concentration limit of 100 ppm for the sum of the four regulated metals, except for New Hampshire which has a 200 ppm limit.

 

Vitrified Label Standard

Two of the member states’ laws (NH and CT) currently allow the “intentional use” of the regulated metals for vitrified labels or decorations applied to glass and ceramic containers, subject to the standard in Section 5g of the 2012 version of the Model Legislation.

 

Enforcement

Enforcement of the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation is at the discretion of each individual state.  However, violation information will be shared among the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) member states, and will be pursued in a consistent manner, to the extent possible.

 

For more information, visit http://www.toxicsinpackaging.org for the 2021 updated Model Legislation, Frequently Asked Questions,  Sample certificate of compliance, and a Comparative Analysis, presenting a side-by-side comparison of the Model Legislation and existing state laws.

*Please note that this Comparative Analysis does not reflect the language changes in the 2021 update of the TPCH Model Legislation.

 

Interested in Joining?

Membership categories include:

*States that have enacted toxics in packaging legislation

*States considering adoption of the legislation

*Industry/Trade Associations

*Non-Profit Organizations and individuals

 

Exemptions

Exemptions vary by state, and in some cases, such as the use of recycled materials, state exemptions may no longer be available.  It is therefore advised to check individual state laws. All packages and packaging components are subject to state laws, as applicable, except:

  • Packages and packaging components with a code indicating that the date of manufacture was prior to the effective date of the law.
  • Packages and packaging components to which heavy metals have been added in order to comply with heath and safety requirements specified by federal law.  (2-year exemption — requires approval)
  • Packages and packaging components that would not exceed the maximum contaminant levels, but for the addition of recycled materials provided that the packages and packaging components do not exceed a maximum concentration limit of 200 ppm for the sum of the four regulated metals. This exemption does not apply to use of the metals when they have already been recovered and separated for use as a metal or metallic compound.
  • Packages and packaging components to which heavy metals have been added in the manufacturing process for which there are no feasible or technical alternative.  (2-year exemption — requires approval)
  • A glass package or packaging component that has a vitrified label, when tested according to specific procedures.

*Revised exemption language can be found in the 2021 Model Legislation update found here.

TPCH 2021 Model Legislation Update

In February 2021, the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) announced the organization’s 2021 update to their Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation. The previous version of the Model (as revised in 2012) can be found here. The update includes the addition of the class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and ortho-phthalates as regulated chemicals, as well as new processes and criteria for identifying and regulating additional chemicals of high concern in packaging. The previous (prior to 2021) TPCH Model Legislation and laws enacted in 19 states prohibit the intentional use of cadmium, lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in any finished package or packaging component. The laws also limit the total incidental concentration of the four metals to 100 ppm. Incidental concentration may result from the use of post-consumer recycled content to manufacture new packaging and components. The laws take a pollution prevention approach by prohibiting intentional use, and they place the primary burden of compliance on the supply chain by requiring manufacturers and suppliers to verify that their products are in compliance.

It will be up to each state to adopt changes to their existing laws or adopt a new law to address toxics in packaging.

More Information Online

See www.toxicsinpackaging.org for:

  • 2021 revised Model Legislation
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Sample certificate of compliance
  • Comparative Analysis, presenting a side – by – side comparison of the Model Legislation and existing state laws. *Please note that the Comparative Analysis has not yet been updated to reflect the 2021 Model Legislation Updated language.

Interested in Joining?

Membership categories include:

  • States that have enacted toxics in packaging legislation
  • States considering adoption of the legislation
  • Industry/Trade Associations
  • Non – Profit Organizations and individuals

Cleaner Packaging, Cleaner World