NOM-231-SSA1 Glazed Pottery, Glazed Ceramics, Porcelain and Glassware - Maximum Permissible Limits for Soluble Lead and Cadmium - Test Method

The standard “NOM-231-SSA1 Glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain and glassware - Maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium - Test method” published under the Official Mexican Standard (NOM) describes the maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium that must be present in glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain and glassware used to preserve and process food and beverages.

This standard applies to all types of pottery, glazed ceramics or glassware. They may be coloured or uncoloured, decorated or undecorated, and may be presented on the inside, outside (lip and rim) or in both positions. The application of this standard is mandatory throughout the country by those responsible for nationally and imported pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain and glass products produced for the storage and processing of food and beverages. The packaging sector is exempt from this application.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Ceramics are non-metallic inorganic materials, the main component of which is clay, obtained by sintering inorganic materials at temperatures of 700 degrees and above. The surface can be glazed or enameled to make it more waterproof, more durable, or for decorative or aesthetic purposes.
• The control record refers to the foil record of all imported or manufactured products. The organization should be chronological to facilitate the review and traceability of product information. The control record should contain at least the following data as applicable:
  • Product description (description)
  • Origin: It is mandatory to include the batch number for national products. Imported products must include the country of origin, entry date, batch number and import permit.
  • Raw material or product (domestic or imported): A final report on lead and cadmium content in paints and enamels by an authorized laboratory for the raw material. A final report on lead and cadmium content by an authorized laboratory for the finished product. Importers and manufacturers must keep separate records for the products they import and for the products they produce.
• Ceramics are non-metallic inorganic materials produced by sintering inorganic materials at temperatures of 700 degrees and above, the main components of which are silicon oxide and complex silicates such as kaolin, clay, feldspar. The surface can be glazed or enameled to make it more waterproof, more durable, or for decorative-aesthetic purposes. These also include refractory porcelains.
• Decoration is the process of embellishing or beautifying a clay, ceramic or glass surface without changing its form or function, in order to increase its aesthetic value. It is presented with simple lines or complex drawings, sometimes repeated, and may consist of one or more colors. The full range of available colors, metallic luster or precious metals such as gold and platinum are used alone or in combination. The application is done manually or indirectly. Application on glass may be done by screen printing, atomization, pad printing, acid bath, stickers or labels glued or fused to the glass, organic or inorganic dyes or by other means. The application on the piece may be located inside, outside or in both positions.
• Frit is the basic glaze obtained as a result of the fritting process, that is, the heat treatment that enables the inorganic raw materials mixed in predetermined proportions to be brought to the melting point, thus obtaining a new compound that is insoluble in water.
• Greta is lead oxide and is the term used by potters to name the glazes on their work.
• The model is the item number or name by which each manufacturer, decorator or importer identifies their products.
• Hollow parts are parts with an internal depth of more than 25 mm measured from the lowest point of the horizontal plane to the highest point of the edge.
• Food or beverage containing items are items used to store or preserve pre-processed liquid or solid foods or beverages.
• Food or beverage processing equipment is equipment used to prepare (cook, fry, steam, brew) liquid or solid foods or beverages.
• Flat parts are items that have an internal height of not more than 25 mm, measured from the lowest point of the bottom of the part to a horizontal plane passing through the top edges. These are plates, trays and similar items. They may have a small hollow part or a large hollow part capacity.
• Loose items are miscellaneous items made of ceramic, clay or glass, intended to serve, contain, process or store food or beverages, not necessarily part of a tableware set, and sold individually (such as coffee jars, oil and vinegar sets, ceramic moulds, refractory dishes, jugs, saucepans, saucepans, saucepans, pitchers, bowls, glasses).

Lead and cadmium released from any pottery, glazed ceramic, porcelain or glassware, whether produced nationally or imported, intended to contain or process food or beverages, shall comply with the maximum permissible limits specified in the reports entitled “Maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium to be met by ceramic, ceramic and porcelain pieces” and “Maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium to be met by glass pieces” given in the standard, and their determination shall be carried out using the test method defined in this standard.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its wide range of testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services are also provided to businesses in accordance with the standard “NOM-231-SSA1 Glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain and glassware - Maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium - Test method”.