"Aquarium Safe"

[Gervahlt]

Okay, now I've been keeping fish for a few years and thought I knew what this meant. However, I was recently asked by a large corporation what was required (ie, certification process or authority) in order to label their product as aquarium safe.

Even though I can list out many different things that their product would need to be, I do not know how they would go about certifying their product. Is there a group somewhere that does this certification? Are there legal guidelines?

Please, don't guess here. I need actual links, contacts, or information. Thank you!

 

[cichlid2006]

I know you are in the US but email http://www.ornamentalfish.org/ and they may be able to give you details of their US counterpart.

 

[Gervahlt]

Thank you. I have emailed them. I have yet to find any actual data on this. I have looked at OSHA and the FTC without success. So far, it appears that this particular label is not regulated. It's not even covered under the "green label" guidelines. I'm beginning to wonder if any company could put this on their product and only open themselves to a "misleading advertisement" lawsuit. If it's not regulated, the worst that I can see happening to them would be a small fine and possibly a class action lawsuit asking for compensation for any damages resulting from use of their product.

If that's the case, I'm suddenly a heck of a lot less confident using a product just because it's on the label. In this particular case, I believe the product is completely safe, but I'm being asked as a member of the aquatic community for direction on where to get this certification (as a direct result of my asking them if their product was, indeed, safe - LOL).

 

[Gervahlt]

FYI, OATA referred me to their American counter-part PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council). I have sent them an email as well to see if they can clear this up for me.

Btw, the end result of this might be my trying to organize a limited free trial of their product (substrate) for our review. I won't mention the company's name until/unless this comes about. However, if it does pan out, I'll be trying to figure out a way to try their product in as many different environments as possible. Right now I think freshwater rays, bottom-dwellers, larger cichlids, and saltwater tests are in order.