CPSC & Congress Speak Out, Take Action on Heavy Metals in Children's Jewelry

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 11, 2010, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum issued a statement at the APEC Toy Safety Initiative Dialogue in Hong Kong, China, warning manufacturers against the use of cadmium, antimony and barium in lieu of lead in children's products. Tenenbaum followed this statement with a written warning to parents on January 13, 2010, advising that they "not allow young children to be given or play with cheap metal jewelry."

Backing up the rhetoric with action, Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4428: The Children's Toxic Metals Act with a proposal to ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of children's jewelry containing cadmium, barium or antimony. A similar bill is expected to be introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).

These actions come in the wake of concern prompted by an Associated Press investigation showing that some children's jewelry sold by major retailers in the United States contain high levels of cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal.

Chairman Tenenbaum's Statement to Manufacturers: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2010/01/cpsc-chairmans-statement-on-cadmium-in-childrens-products/

Chairman Tenenbaum's Statement to Parents: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2010/01/guide-for-parents-the-dangers-of-heavy-metals-in-childrens-jewelry/

Text of H.R. 4428:  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h4428ih.txt.pdf

SGS has a global network of accredited testing laboratories offering a wide range of services including analytical testing and consultancy for chemical and non-chemical parameters in a comprehensive range of toys and consumer products for worldwide markets.  For more information on how SGS can help, call 800-777-TEST or e-mail [email protected].

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