May 23, 2011

Details

The European Union will ban cadmium in jewelry, cadmium in plastic products and cadmium in brazing sticks beginning December 2011. Adopted as an amendment under REACH, the new legislation aims to ensure consumer protection from exposure to cadmium, and reduction in environmental pollution from cadmium.

Why It Matters

High levels of cadmium in jewelry articles have been found, especially in imported costume jewelry. Consumers, including children, risk exposure to cadmium through skin contact or through licking.

Brazing sticks, which are used to join dissimilar materials, contain cadmium and are used for applications such as amateur modeling of steam engines of trains. Fumes released during the brazing process are dangerous if inhaled, and use of these brazing materials will be prohibited except for very specific professional uses.

How UL STR Can Help

UL STR provides a wide range of customized quality assurance solutions for consumer product testing. Our chemical and analytical services include testing for cadmium, lead, phthalates, heavy metals, and toxins in packaging to help manufacturers, importers and retailers comply with the provisions of REACH.