Certified product seals on creative materials prove that they are safe for consumers when used as directed. Products with an Approved Product (AP) or Cautionary Labeling (CL) seal from ACMI undergo extensive toxicological testing by board-certified toxicologists (medical experts) before being certified. Toxicologists evaluate art products for both acute hazards, like skin rashes or eye irritation, and for chronic hazards, or reactions that occur over longer periods of time.

Thousands of art, craft and creative material formulations have earned the ACMI Seals. There’s a certified product for every art project. Look for the seals! See a full list of certified members and licensees here.

Approved Product (AP) Seal

Check for the AP Seal on creative products for kids in sixth grade or younger.
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• Non-toxic when used as intended 
• For young children and adults who are physically or mentally disabled or don’t understand safety labeling on product packages
• Labeled according to the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA) and contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children
• Do not cause acute or chronic health problems as defined by ASTM D4236, LHAMA, and the FHSA.

The AP Seal identifies art materials that are safe and certified in a toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems as defined by ASTM D4236 and the FHSA.

Cautionary Labeling (CL) Seal

Check for the CL Seal on creative products for kids in seventh grade or older. Never give children in sixth grade or younger a product with the CL Seal.

• For adults and kids older than sixth grade
• Not hazardous if used correctly
• Must read the product label in full before opening
• Labeled according to the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA)
• Appears on only a small percentage of adult art materials, and on no children’s materials

The CL Seal identifies art materials that are certified in a toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) to be properly labeled for any known health risks as defined by ASTM D4236 and the FHSA. Art materials bearing a CL Seal may include acute and chronic health warnings along with information on the safe and proper use of these materials.

Have you ever bought new art materials and asked yourself…