Is non-toxic regulated?

For most products there is no single definition, so it is a brand claim that must be truthful.

What does the AP seal mean?

It is an ACMI seal on art materials. Check the program's site for what it covers.

Is non-toxic safe to eat?

No. Always follow the label instructions and warnings.

What Non-Toxic Means on a Product Label

For most consumer products, non-toxic has no single regulatory definition, so it is a brand claim and not a certification. Claims like this still have to be truthful, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says advertisers need evidence to back them up.

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Why the term is loose

There is no one federal rule that defines non-toxic across household goods, personal care and toys. A company may mean that it contains no ingredient it considers harmful, or that it meets a particular test for one use. The label does not tell you which.

Some brands back the claim with a third-party test or a named program, and some simply use the word as a general reassurance. Ask which it is before you let the word decide a purchase, and look for the details on the maker's site or the back of the package.

Toxic is also not an all-or-nothing word. How a substance affects someone depends on what it is, how much and how it is used, which is why the word alone is not very informative.

What regulators say about claims

The FTC expects advertisers to have a reasonable basis for the claims they make, and its guidance on substantiation applies to words like non-toxic. A broad, unqualified claim can be hard to support, so look for a statement that says what the claim covers.

Art materials are a special case

Art and craft materials in the U.S. fall under a labeling law, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, as it applies to chronic hazards, which the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees. Many art products carry an AP or CL seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), an industry program that has the product reviewed. Check the program's site for the exact scope.

Common misunderstandings

Non-toxic does not mean harmless in every circumstance, and it does not mean a product is meant to be swallowed or used on skin. A cleaner, a paint and a crayon can each be described this way and still carry different warnings. The instructions and cautions printed on the package are the part that tells you how to use the item.

How to shop with the claim

Look for a specific statement on what was tested or excluded.
Read the ingredient list and the warnings on the back.
Use as directed, and keep products away from children and pets as the label advises.
For a health question, ask a doctor or call poison control.

Sources

FTC guidance on substantiating advertising claims
CPSC Federal Hazardous Substances Act information
ACMI AP and CL seal program

What does non-toxic mean on a label?

At a glance