NOTICE on Packaging Certification Claims

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) recently identified several inaccurate claims of product and packaging certification by the TPCH.

This notice is to make clear that the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse and U.S. member states with toxics in packaging laws do NOT certify products or packaging. It is, therefore, inappropriate to claim on a package or in a press release or marketing materials that a package or product is certified by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse.

The Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation (formerly referred to as CONEG) and state laws based on the Model require the self-certification of packaging and packaging components using a Certificate of Compliance.
Certificates of Compliance can be issued by packaging suppliers or product manufacturers or distributors. The Certificates of Compliance must be supported by documentation (such as analytical test reports) demonstrating compliance.

An example of an inappropriate claim of TPCH certification is found in the press release, “Guangzhou Prodigy Passed TPCH Certification by SGS,” distributed through PRNewswire and reprinted by the Wall Street Journal. In addition to the certification claims, this company also misrepresents the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation. The Model Legislation only addresses 4 metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent
chromium) in packaging. These laws do not address or define “environmental materials”.

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse strongly refutes such inappropriate claims, and reserves the right to publish on its website any such claims it discovers to discourage this practice.