The Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI) is an international association of more than 200 art, craft and creative material manufacturers which seeks to promote safety in art and creative products through its certification program. Many small companies, as well as large ones, participate in the ACMI product certification program. We are very proud of the fact that nearly a quarter of these companies are long-standing members (30+ years) of ACMI.
For over 80 years, the ACMI program for children’s art materials has certified that these products are non-toxic using the AP Seal. In 1982, the program was expanded to include a much broader range of art materials, including adult products, ensuring that they are non-toxic (AP Seal) or carry appropriate health warning labels (CL Seal) where necessary.
ACMI-certified product seals (AP Approved Product and CL Cautionary Labeling) indicate that these products have been evaluated by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) and are labeled in accordance with federal and state laws. Each product in the program undergoes extensive toxicological testing that covers both acute and chronic toxicity concerns before it is granted the right to bear the ACMI certification seal. The ACMI product certification program includes an on-going review of the latest scientific and regulatory information available to keep the program current. The program also includes a five-year review of product formulations to meet the requirements of the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act.
ACMI Seals:
The AP (Approved Product) Seal identifies art materials that are safe and that are 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. Such products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U. S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA).
The CL (Cautionary Labeling) Seal identifies products that are certified to be properly labeled in a program of toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) for any known health risks and with information on the safe and proper use of these materials. This Seal appears on only a small percentage of adult art materials in ACMI’s certification program and on none of the children’s materials. These products are also certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U. S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). Products with this seal are not hazardous if used correctly. It is important to read the product label in full before opening a product that has the CL Seal. These products should never be given to children in grade 6 or lower or anyone with a physical or mental handicap who is unable to read and understand safety labeling on packages.
ACMI's toxicology team is comprised of experts in art and creative materials evaluations. Duke University's Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (Est. 1970), and Bureau Veritas/Intrinsik (Ext. 1828) conduct reviews against 16 CFR 1500 for our 200+ members. ACMI also has a Toxicology Advisory Board composed of leading toxicological experts who independently act as a review board on issues of toxicity, analyze the criteria used by ACMI's toxicologists, and make recommendations to ACMI.