GCC for art materials (LHAMA)

The Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA) requires every art or craft material sold in the US to be reviewed by a toxicologist and labeled with chronic-hazard information where needed, and art materials are certified with a General Certificate of Conformity citing 16 CFR 1500.14(b)(8). Sellers cannot self-declare safety: the toxicological review must be documented.

On this page

What LHAMA requires Certification and the GCC

Generate an art-materials GCC

What LHAMA requires

A qualified toxicologist reviews every formulation and product before sale.
Chronically hazardous products carry specific warning statements and safe-use guidance.
The manufacturer must keep the review on file and provide it to the CPSC on request.

Certification and the GCC

Art materials for general use are certified with a GCC citing the LHAMA labeling requirement; children’s art products can also be children’s products needing a CPC with additional rules. The certificate is issued in the importer’s or manufacturer’s name, backed by the documented review.

Questions people ask

Does every colorant need its own review?

Reviews cover the formulation as sold. Reformulations, new pigment suppliers, or new factories require updated reviews — stale reviews are the common audit finding.

Are children’s art sets different?

Yes: products for children 12 and under are children’s products and need a CPC citing LHAMA plus the children’s rules (lead, phthalates, tracking labels).

GCC for art materials (LHAMA)

What LHAMA requires

Certification and the GCC

Questions people ask

Related guides

LHAMA labeling, explained

CPC certificates for arts and crafts kits

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)