June 11, 2010
Minnesota and Connecticut have become the first two U.S. states to restrict cadmium in children's jewelry.
Minnesota's Session Law Chapter 347 (S.F. 2510), filed by the Secretary of State on May 15, 2010, prohibits the sale of children's jewelry that contains cadmium in excess of 75 parts per million (ppm) on any surface coating or in any accessible substrate material of metal or plastic components. These requirements will be effective for manufacturers and wholesalers on January 1, 2011, and for retailers on March 1, 2011. The sale or distribution of jewelry by nonprofit organizations and by occasional sales not made in the normal course of business are exempted from these requirements. The state Attorney General is given enforcement authority over this law.
Definitions (Minnesota):
Child is defined as an individual who is six (6) years of age or younger.
Children's jewelry is defined as jewelry that is made for, marketed for use by, or marketed to children.
Accessible is defined as any part or component that can be contacted by any portion of the accessibility probe (forward of the collar) as described in Section 3.1.2 of ASTM F 963-08.
Connecticut's law, An Act Banning Cadmium in Children's Jewelry [Public Act No. 10-113 (HB 5314)], was approved by the governor on June 4, 2010, and also prohibits the sale, offering for sale or distribution of children’s jewelry containing cadmium in excess of 75 ppm. These requirements will be effective on July 1, 2014. The state Commissioner of Consumer Protection is given enforcement authority over this law.
Definitions (Connecticut):
Cadmium is defined as elemental cadmium and any compounds or alloys which contain cadmium.
Children's Jewelry is defined as any jewelry, including charms, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, earrings or rings, and any component thereof, that is designed or intended to be worn or used by children twelve (12) years of age or younger.
STR is monitoring similar cadmium restrictions currently under consideration in several other U.S. states as well as on the federal level.
STR's state-of-the-art testing laboratories have the capability to test for cadmium and other contaminants. Our hazard prevention program includes comprehensive design evaluation, safety testing, audit, inspection, and responsible sourcing services. For more information, contact us at info@STRQuality.com.