The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of Sierra Leone has announced that the country's Lead Paint Regulations 2025 are now in force, following a one-year moratorium period. These regulations establish a legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) for total lead content in all paint manufactured, imported, or sold in Sierra Leone. This move aims to protect public health, particularly children, from lead exposure, which can cause permanent damage to children's developing brains and affect their learning and behavior.
The introduction of these regulations makes Sierra Leone one of the first Anglophone African countries to adopt national lead paint controls. This aligns with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regulation C/REG.13/07/23, adopted in 2023. A 2024 study conducted by the EPA in partnership with the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) found that nearly one in four paint samples tested in Freetown contained hazardous levels of lead. This study's findings led to the recommendation of a legal limit of 90 ppm for total lead content in paint.
To strengthen enforcement, 18 EPA staff completed a four-day training program in July 2026 on using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers. These analyzers can detect lead in paint within seconds, equipping the agency with in-house capacity to test paint products on the market and identify non-compliant ones. A follow-up market survey conducted in July 2026 found that all 23 paint brands sampled had lead levels below the national limit of 90 ppm, indicating significant improvement compared to the 2024 study's findings.
The EPA will continue monitoring paint products on the market, including imported brands, through regular inspections. The enforcement exercise will be carried out in collaboration with various agencies, including the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, Customs Department, National Revenue Authority, Sierra Leone Police, and the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Transport and Aviation. This multi-agency collaboration aims to ensure effective enforcement of the regulations.
In marking the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW), the EPA urged the public to purchase paint from manufacturers and suppliers that comply with the regulations. The theme of this year's ILPPW is "From Detection to Prevention." The EPA has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the regulations and strengthening measures to protect public health and the environment from the dangers of lead exposure.
The EPA's efforts to enforce lead paint regulations have shown positive results so far. The agency's proactive approach to monitoring and enforcing compliance will help reduce lead exposure risks. Public awareness and cooperation are crucial in preventing lead poisoning, and the EPA's campaign to educate the public about the risks of lead exposure and the importance of purchasing compliant paint products is essential.
The enforcement of lead paint regulations in Sierra Leone is a significant step towards protecting public health, particularly children's health. The EPA's commitment to monitoring and enforcing compliance will help ensure that paint products on the market meet the required safety standards. By working together with various agencies and stakeholders, the EPA aims to reduce the risks associated with lead exposure and create a safer environment for the public.
Key points
- The Sierra Leone government has begun enforcing lead paint regulations to protect public health, particularly children, from lead exposure.
- The regulations establish a legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) for total lead content in all paint manufactured, imported, or sold in Sierra Leone.
- The enforcement exercise will be carried out in collaboration with various agencies to ensure effective enforcement of the regulations.
