What’s the Big Deal About Lead?
Lead is a heavy metal and is toxic to humans, especially children. We’ve all heard the warnings about lead in paint—don’t chew the windowsills, don’t sand old furniture without a mask, and don’t repaint your baby’s room with leftovers from the garage.
So authorities have put legislation in place, and responsibility falls on paint manufacturers to comply.
Problem #1: The Law Looks Good on Paper, But…
South Africa first limited lead in paint in 2009 (600 ppm), tightening it to 90 ppm for decorative paint in 2019. Then a deadline of 17 May 2025 was announced for everyone to comply, so the pressure was on!
The catch? There’s very little consistent enforcement. No routine national testing. No comprehensive paint database. If no one checks, how do we know the rules are working?
Problem #2: Testing Isn’t Quick, Easy or Affordable
Machines to measure lead are a costly investment. Usually only large laboratories have them. Although some are considering it, most small to mid-sized paint producers don’t have XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysers or atomic absorption spectrometers. They must use external third-party laboratories to measure lead content.
Common issues manufacturers face:
- High cost of external lab testing
- Long turnaround times
- Uncertainty about whether raw materials are compliant
- Possible inconsistency of raw materials
The time taken by external labs to test a paint sample is the biggest challenge – usually a couple of weeks. Who can afford to hold a batch for that long before releasing it to the market?
Some producers don’t have easy access to certified labs, and testing is expensive. In rural or lower-income areas, it may not be an option at all.
Why this matters:
- Lead is a major public health concern—especially for children.
- Enforcement is increasing, especially with pressure from NGOs, global buyers, and international partners.
- Non-compliance can lead to product recalls, reputational damage, or even legal consequences.
What You Can Do: A Practical Path Forward
You don’t need to become a testing lab yourself to stay compliant and competitive. Here’s a step-by-step approach that could work for you:
Step 1: Source Smart
Start at the source. First eliminate all lead-containing pigments, dryers or other raw materials.
Action Tips:
- Switch to verified lead-free alternatives—especially for pigments (reds, yellows and oranges are the highest risk).
- Request a declaration from suppliers that Pb < 90pmm in their products (for all Serina’s grades, you can request it here)
- Request updated safety data sheets (SDS) from your suppliers.
Step 2: Test new paint grades, and every time you reformulate
It is not required to test every batch, but you do need to test for lead every time you reformulate. LEEP (Lead Exposure Elimination Project) offers a lot of support and advice for free – even some free testing! Check out their website here.
Testing:
- You need to use a SANAS-accredited lab. At present the only one is the SABS lab.
- For internal checks, consider purchasing a hand-held XRF testing device. There are pros and cons to those:
Step 3: Label Honestly and Clearly
South African regulations require correct labelling around lead content. LEEP can advise on this too. Beyond the law, clear labels also build trust with your customers. Make sure to include a batch number or QR code for traceability.
Step 4: Train Your Team
From your formulation chemist to your marketing staff, everyone needs to be on the same page about your commitment to lead safety.
Internal steps:
- Run workshops on regulatory compliance and safe sourcing.
- Create an internal checklist for each new formula or raw material change.
- Make your R&D team part of the solution—ask them to stay updated on low-lead technologies.
Step 5: Use Lead Safety to Grow Your Brand
Here’s the good news: going lead-free isn’t just good ethics, it’s also good business.
Marketing benefits:
- Parents, schools, and contractors are increasingly looking for safe products.
- Government and corporate buyers will soon require low-lead certification.
- Being an early adopter puts you ahead of regulation and opens export opportunities.
We’re In This Together
The burden of lead safety shouldn’t fall on manufacturers alone. Suppliers to the industry also have a role to play by supplying the required declarations.
Serina Trading supplies a declaration that Pb < 90ppm for all its products that go into paint. Request it here.
Kaolin.co.za
South Africa needs better enforcement, more affordable testing, and clearer guidance from regulators. But while that work is ongoing, manufacturers who take the lead (pun intended) will set the standard for the industry.
If you need help, you can also reach out to organisations like LEEP or the South African Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA).
Bottom Line
Yes, the lead issue is a challenge. But also an opportunity. Paint manufacturers can protect public health and protect their brand by embracing smart sourcing, reliable testing, and open communication.
Good luck and give us a shout if we can assist.