Cricut commitment to safety and compliance

3 March 2023

How does safety and regulatory compliance factor into the materials you make with? We often hear how our members love and use Cricut-branded materials because of the durability, selection, and confidence they provide when paired with our machines. A lesser known — but equally importantreason that members choose Cricut materials is due to our commitment to safety and compliance!

Members occasionally ask questions like, “What makes Cricut-branded materials good to use on projects that are frequently handled?” or “Are there any potentially hazardous substances in these materials?” 

At Cricut, safety and compliance are key priorities. This means that we — at minimum — make sure we adhere to country-specific applicable laws within our global footprint and meet mandatory safety requirements of retail partners. We keep consumer safety in mind by striving to ensure our materials are appropriately sourced, tested beyond standard requirements, and properly labeled. Our carefully selected suppliers similarly focus on regulatory compliance and consumer safety, and we only work with partners who are willing to undergo comprehensive audits.

Safety procedures and standards 

We use globally accepted procedures and standards (from authorities such as ASTM International and ISO) to qualify our products. Qualifying our products means we follow applicable or relevant industry-recognized standard testing procedures to verify our products perform and last as expected. 

For example, we use an ASTM standard to measure the strength of our adhesive on permanent vinyl, which is what makes the material dishwasher friendly. We also use ASTM standards to make sure that packaging on products like pens and markers include required safety labels or disclaimers.

Compliance certification

Cricut also pursues additional certification processes through globally recognized and accredited, independent third-party testing and certification bodies. Here are some examples of a few of the safety and compliance certification processes we undergo for our products and materials.

California Proposition 65 (Prop 65)

Prop 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law that requires businesses to provide warnings for products with significant exposure to substances that are known to be linked to cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Prop 65 provides consumers with warnings of possible exposures to potentially harmful substances such as lead, and affects a variety of products and environments, such as electronics, food, beverages, building entrances, packaging, and labels.

Cricut uses the regularly updated list of such chemical substances to make sure that Cricut products meet the guidelines and conform with the requirements of Prop 65. While Cricut vinyl meets these guidelines, some competitive vinyl products on the market still contain chemical substances in higher quantities than those deemed acceptable by Prop 65.

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) 

This European regulation addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on human health and the environment. It requires companies to identify the substances manufactured and marketed within the European Union by submitting individual registrations for compliance. Substances which may have irreversible effects may be identified as SVHC, Substances of Very High Concern.

Cricut ensures REACH compliance well before our materials hit the shelves.

Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH)

The TPCH upholds the Model Toxics and Packaging Legislation to reduce heavy metals in packaging and packaging components sold in the United States. Specifically, it addresses the amount of mercury, lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. The Model Legislation has also influenced packaging requirements for the European Union.

In areas where Cricut sells, we follow applicable requirements of this legislation by making sure that packaging materials and their components do not contain the regulated substances of concern at levels exceeding any allowable limits.

EU Directive 94/62/EC 

This directive, established by the European Parliament and Council, addresses problems of packaging waste and heavy metal content in packaging.

Cricut has been actively designing and rolling out material packaging that generates less waste and may be reused. For example, we have removed foam from the cartons used to ship to our retailers and are working to remove excess tape from packaging. You may also have noticed that our latest materials also use tubes that can be recycled.

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)

CPSIA is a consumer product safety law for domestic US manufacturers and importers. It addresses concerns related to potentially unsafe levels of substances such as lead; toy safety; and third-party testing and certification. The governing agency, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), also maintains the SaferProducts.gov database.

Cricut makes products for making and use by adults only. However, when you make finished Cricut projects to be used by and gifted to others — of any age — rest assured that Cricut materials — including vinyl, iron-on, and Infusible Ink — are tested by recognized, third-party certification agencies to ensure they conform with the applicable requirements of CPSIA regulations.

From the raw materials our engineers work with to the finished material products and projects you hold in hand, safety is a top priority at Cricut. We hope this insight into our processes provides you with even more confidence when you make with Cricut. Want to learn more? Check out these 6 things to know about Cricut materials.