Members
How we Stay sharp
Pencil Makers Association is a division of WIMA
Executive Director, David H. Baker
David H. Baker has been practicing law in Washington, D.C. for over 40 years, focusing on the area of product safety law. He regularly
represents clients before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and state product safety agencies. His clients include national trade
associations, Fortune 500 corporations and privately held companies. He has worked with the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association
since 1983. David is past Chair of the ABA Committee on Consumer Product Regulation; past President of the International Consumer Product
Health and Safety Organization and has served as an Adjunct Instructor on trade association law at Catholic University Law School.
Senior Toxicologist & Vice President of Intrinsik Corporation, Elliot Sigal
Elliot Sigal has over 30 years of experience in human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, toxicology, peer review, public
consultation, risk communication and risk management. Elliot has overseen and contributed to hundreds of risk assessment projects for
industry and government and conducted peer reviews on risk assessments in jurisdictions across Canada and the U.S. Since 2015, he has
directed the efforts of the Chemical and Consumer Products team, responsible for the assessment of consumer products including toys, art
supplies, cosmetics and personal care products, and other household items. Many of the hundreds of assessments conducted annually involve
the consideration of the toxicological properties of the chemicals in the product as well as an exposure assessment of each chemical, considering
the physical/chemical properties of the chemicals, the characteristics of the product and the intended use and foreseeable misuse of the
product.
Bureau Veritas
A World Leader in Laboratory Testing, Inspection, and Certification Services
Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets,
products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and
social responsibility.
“The Pencil Makers Association (PMA) has worked diligently to secure the trust of consumers through our rigorous, standards -based testing and qualification program, advocating for consumer product safety and toxicology testing. Musgrave Pencil Company views the PMA Seal and testing program as foundational to establish and retain high credibility and peace of mind for our customers in the delivery of our products.”
Scott Johnson, President Musgrave Pencil Co.
COMPLIANCE
Federal product safety standards
Understand safety, sustainability, environmental risks associated with pencils
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 USC §1261 et seq., and Regulations thereunder pertaining to acute toxicity or chronic toxicity and specifically including lead in surface coatings standard.
The Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA), 15 USC § 1277 and Regulations thereunder pertaining to chronic toxicity/American Society for Testing and Materials D4236 relating to Labeling of Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards.
Proper disposal of pencils in accordance with FTC environmental marketing guidelines
Additional testing or requirements adopted as a result of recommendations from the Third-Party
Toxicologist, or the Toxicological Advisory Board.
PMA SEAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS
To establish or update a toxicological approval for a finished pencil product, the pencil manufacturer should provide the pencil formulation information directly to the Third-Party Toxicologist. The Toxicologist will review the formulation for acute and chronic hazards, and flammability, according to the requirements of ASTM D-4236, LHAMA and 16 CFR Part 1500.14(b)(8) "Art Materials," 16 CFR 1500.3(b)(5), (7)-(10), and 16 CFR 1500.135 (Federal Hazardous Substances Act regulations). In addition, the toxicologist will indicate if testing is required. Upon approval, the Toxicologist will provide the participant with a toxicological approval (TA) to use the PMA Seal for the pencil products. The member then shall send the TA to the WIMA Executive Director who will authorize the use of the PMA Seal.
“USA Gold and USA Titanium can be bought in almost every major retailer and school district in the country. We proudly acknowledge our commitment to the PMA Program by displaying the PMA Seal on all our packaging for consumer confidence. Teachers, school districts, parents, and retailers alike all give preferential treatment to products that carry the PMA Seal because it truly means something. We are so proud of doing so for over 75 Years right here in the United States.”
Timothy M. Gomez, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives LaRose Industries
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