India Seeks Feedback on Revised Standard for Poster Colors: Proposes Lead Limit of 10 ppm

India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is seeking public consultation on the first revision of its standard for poster colors, which are commonly used in commercial design and artwork. Established in 1976, the revision of the BIS standard for poster colors aims to incorporate technological advancements and ensure safer and more reliable products for consumers by regulating the composition and lead content in products. The deadline for comments is 10 December 2024. 

Proposed Lead Limit for Poster Colors  

The revised standard proposes that poster colors should not contain more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of lead when tested using approved methods. 

Content of the Composition 

The new guidelines also state that poster colors should be a semi-viscous paste consisting of water-soluble or dispersible binders, pigments (with or without extenders), plasticizers, and preservatives. It emphasizes that the pigment should be finely ground and must not separate from the base substance, known as the ‘vehicle,’ which typically consists of oils that help the paint to spread evenly. 

Packaging and Labeling Requirements 

Packaging requirements are also specified, with poster colors to be sold in securely capped glass or plastic containers of various sizes, including 15ml, 30ml, 120ml, 225ml and 450ml. Each container must be clearly labeled with essential information such as product name, color, net content, manufacturing date, manufacturer’s details or trademark, and batch number for traceability. 

Detailed Color Range  

The updated standard focuses on 26 specific colors, including magenta, turquoise green, carmine, mauve, dark green, pink, cobalt blue, permanent yellow, burnt sienna, prussian blue, lemon yellow, burnt umber, cerulean blue, yellow ochre, vandyke brown, ultramarine blue, orange, grey, light green, crimson lake, black, medium green, scarlet lake, white, deep green and vermilion. 

This revision aims to protect public health by limiting harmful substances in widely used art supplies, ensuring better quality control and product safety for consumers. 

For more details, the proposed standard is available here.