Stricter Metal-Containing Jewelry Law in California

Top Quote California has introduced two sets of limits for jewelry under its Metal-Containing Jewelry Law. The more stringent set of limits will come into effect on June 1, 2020. End Quote
  • (1888PressRelease) October 24, 2019 - California’s governor has signed into law Senate Bill 647 (Chapter 379, 2019), thereby revising and recasting the provisions relating to authorized materials for use in jewelry and children’s jewelry.

    The new law defines jewelry as any of the following ornaments worn by a person:
    1. An anklet, arm cuff, bracelet, brooch, chain, crown, cuff link, hair accessory, earring, necklace, pin, ring, tie clip, body piercing jewelry, jewelry placed in the mouth for display or ornament
    2. Any bead, chain, link, pendant, or other component of an ornament in point 1 above
    3. A charm, bead, chain, link, pendant, or other attachment to shoes or clothing that can be removed and may be used as a component of an ornament in point 1 above
    4. A watch in which a timepiece is a component of an ornament in point 1 above, excluding the timepiece itself if the timepiece can be removed from the ornament

    Changes brought in by SB 647 include:
    • Federal standards for lead content in children’s jewelry are adopted
    • Children now defined as, from ‘children six years of age and younger’ to ‘persons under 15 years of age’
    • Establishing soluble cadmium for surface coatings on children’s jewelry
    • Lead content limit strengthened for certain materials to align with those falling under entry 63 to Annex XVII of Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the European Union
    • Three categories of authorized materials – Class 1, 2 and 3 materials - removed
    • Requiring glass and crystal components to be crushed or grounded to powder prior to hydrofluoric acid mediated digestion using EPA 3052 or an equivalent method
    • Requiring certification containing certain information to attest that the jewelry is complying – a manufacturer or supplier may either provide the certification to a person who sells or offers for sale that jewelry, or display the certification prominently on the shipping container or on the jewelry packaging
    • Containing two sets of requirements for jewelry – the more stringent set of limits will become effective on June 1, 2020

    To learn more about the provisions of the law, read our original SafeGuard 141/19.

    SB 647 was introduced in February 2019, signed into law on September 27, 2019, and the more stringent set of limits will come into effect on June 1, 2020. Stakeholders are now advised to check their products comply with the latest Californian rules for jewelry.

    SGS Jewelry Services
    SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With a global network of laboratories, SGS provides a wide range of services including physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. Learn more about SGS’s Jewelry Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/softlines-and-accessories/jewelry]

    SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California Strengthens Metal-Containing Jewelry Law SafeGuardS. [https://www.sgs.com/en/news/2019/10/safeguards-14119-california-strengthens-metal-containing-jewelry-law]

    Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

    For further information contact:

    Hingwo Tsang
    Global Information and Innovation Manager
    Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
    Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
    Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr
    LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

    About SGS
    SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

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