asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if it is his intention to introduce legislation to prevent the importation of low cost crayons from the Far East which contain high levels of lead and cadmium.
Written Answers. - Importation of Low Cost Crayons.
39.
I have made an order under section 44 of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961, which prohibits the manufacture, assembly or sale of unsafe graphic instruments. This includes crayons.
My Department's safety inspector continually monitors sales of potentially unsafe crayons and has submitted a number of items to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards for testing. Prosecutions will be initiated where crayons fail to meet the requirements laid down by law for the maximum content of various toxic substances, including lead and cadmium.