EPA Cutting Lead Levels in Paints
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that Linkup Paint Supplies does not provide legal advice. If you require specific advice or support in relation to compliance with HSNO you may need to engage a specialist consultant or technical advisor or seek your own legal advice.
The information outlined in the article below is deemed to be correct on the date of publishing.
How does this affect our customers?
If you have any relevant products that have a lead level exceeding 90 ppm these must be properly disposed of by 1 September 2025 as per the key dates outlined below.
The only product we are aware of having sold in excess of the specified limits is Protective Paints' "C/R Roadmarking Yellow" purchased prior to April 2025. This product has since been reformulated to contain lower lead levels, effective from April 2025, and now complies with updated standards. This reformulation applies specifically to "C/R Roadmarking Yellow" and not to other products.
If you have any older paint that may exceed the levels this will need to be disposed of correctly.
We encourage you to check any stock or leftover products and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.
Thank you for your cooperation in meeting these important safety and environmental standards.
Cutting lead levels in paints: amendments to group standards
A decision-making committee has decided to amend a series of group standards to reduce the maximum allowable levels of lead impurities in paint.
Lead is a highly toxic metal. These changes protect people and the environment by bringing the rules in line with risks and with international regulators.
Summary of the new rules
You can get all the details in the decision document linked below.
The key changes are to:
- cut lead impurity limits in paints, including corrosion inhibitors
- require test results showing lead levels
- ensure all graphic materials marketed at children only fit the Graphic Materials Group Standard, which only allows products with no health risks
- cut the levels of migratable lead and other toxic elements in graphic materials marketed for children
- remove the need to give the EPA results of migratable element testing of graphic materials (to match other group standards and international regulators).
Amendments to group standards
From 1 March 2025, most of the new rules came into effect. This means that:
- lead impurities in all paints covered by the Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standards and Aerosols Group Standards must not exceed 90 ppm
- anti-rust paints using the Corrosion Inhibitors Group Standards now must also meet the 90 ppm lead impurity limits
- importers and manufacturers must have test results (or other evidence) showing compliance with the lead limits
- paint used on toys and cots must meet the EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 standard, and any paint that does not meet these requirements must include on the label the precautionary statement "Not suitable for use on children's toys or cots"
- all art materials marketed to children are only covered by the Graphic Materials Group Standard
- art materials using the Graphic Materials Group Standard must meet the lower element migration levels in the EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 standard.
In addition, the leachable element notification requirement from the Graphic Materials Group Standard is no longer necessary.
If you have any products or substances that do not meet the requirements of the amended group standards, you must dispose of them by 1 September 2025.
Key dates
28 days from notification in the Gazette: For the Graphic Materials Group Standard, you no longer need to notify the EPA of the results of leachable element testing or get clearance. You still must hold evidence that you comply with the element limits and provide it to the EPA upon request.
From 1 March 2025: You can no longer import or manufacture products or substances that do not meet the amended group standards. You can still sell or use those already in the country.
By 1 September 2025: You must dispose of any products that don't meet the amended standards.
Disposing of paints that don't meet the standards
Contact your local council to find out how to dispose of these paints.
- Auckland Council - hazardous waste disposal and storage
- Wellington City Council - hazardous waste disposal and storage
- Hutt City Council - hazardous waste disposal
- Christchurch City Council - Ecodrops and hazardous waste
- Contact your local city or district council - Local Government NZ (all other areas)
You can also contact your local paint store to see if it has a paint recycling programme. Resene and Dulux both offer recycling programmes.
Linkup Paint Supplies does not currently offer a recycling programme. For commercial quantities you may need to use a waste disposal company.
Read more about the change on the EPA website Read the decision document
