<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The European Union has passed a directive controlling lead paint use . </P> <P> In Canada, regulations were first enacted under the Hazardous Products Act in 1976 that limited lead content of paints and other liquid coatings on furniture, household products, children's products, and exterior and interior surfaces of any building frequented by children to 0.5% by weight . New regulations on surface coating materials, which came into force in 2005, further limit lead to its background level for both interior and exterior paints sold to consumers . Canadian paint manufacturers have been conforming to this background level in their interior and exterior consumer paints since 1991 . Nevertheless, a Canadian company, Dominion Colour Corporation, is "the largest manufacturer of lead - based paint pigments in the world" and has faced public criticism for obtaining permission from the European Chemicals Agency to continue to export lead chromate paints from its Dutch subsidiary to countries where its uses are not tightly regulated . </P> <P> The United States' Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned lead paint in 1977 in residential properties and public buildings (16 CFR 1303), along with toys and furniture containing lead paint . The cited reason was "to reduce the risk of lead poisoning in children who may ingest paint chips or peelings ." For manufacturers, the CPSC instituted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which changed the cap on lead content in paint from 0.06% to 0.009% starting August 14, 2009 . </P>

When was lead based paint banned in canada