Lead Whites

Most of you already heard the rumour. The artists paint sector is struggling with health and safety regulations regarding Lead white paints. The main reason for concern is the obligation to store lead white paint into a container one can only open with the help of a tool; this to discourage infants to access and eat the substance.

Most of the European paint manufacturers already switched their tubes of Flake or Cremnitz for tins. We were not eager to change our popular 225ml tube either, but in the end decided that we cannot hold the production any longer.

Besides the 1Ltr and 2.5Ltr tins, we will now also offer a 250ml Cartridge + gun (sold seperately). This system is similar to what is used in the printmaking industry and has all the advantages of a tube (the paint will not skin inside), it is child secure (because you need a tool to open it) and there will be less waste of paint because of the pressure system with the gun.

The paint in these cartridges and the tins will have absolutely the same consistency as the one in tubes.

The paint in the tins will be covered with a plastic membrane, to prevent it from skinning. Please remember to take it out.

Which sizes and colours will be affected by this new rule?

For European counties: 40ml, 60ml and 225ml tubes are now discontinued in the following colours:

For America and Australia: 40ml and 60ml tubes are now discontinued in the above mentioned colours.
(a limited amount of 225ml tubes is still available for all non-European countries, for as long as their regulations accept lead white paint to be sold to artists in tubes.)

Flake White No.2 will be discontinued over the whole line.

For those who want to read more about this

You can consult the documents at the Defra UK website : www.defra.gov.uk
You can read the full legislation text here www.opsi.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,