New Exemptions for Children's Jewelry Added to Lead Testing Law
August 23, 09
A recent vote by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has added children's jewelry to the list of items exempted from compulsory lead testing.
Lobbying by the Manufacturers Jewelers & Suppliers of
CPSC commissioners voted to exempt precious metals (karat gold, sterling, and platinum group metals) and gemstones from the testing and certification requirements for children's products covered by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
The exempt materials, sometimes used in jewelry manufacturing, are titanium, most kinds of stainless steel, pearls, coral, amber, wood, natural and man-made fibers, bone, seashell, feathers, fur and leather.
The exemptions were granted, provided that the named materials haven't been treated or changed in ways that would result in the addition of lead. They also do not apply to the non-steel or non-precious metal components of a product, such as solder or base metals in electroplate, clad, or fill applications.
Jewelry manufacturers who use base metals such as brass, or copper are not exempt and must comply with the new regulations.