CPSC Announces Another Recall of Children’s Jewelry with High Cadmium
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall by Claire's Boutiques of certain children’s bracelet sets due to high cadmium levels. This is the third action against children's metal jewelry with high cadmium levels that CPSC has taken since it launched its investigation of such products in January 2010.
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19,000 Claire’s “Best Friend” Charm Bracelets Recalled in May
On May 10, 2010, CPSC announced the recall of about 19,000 units of “Best Friends" metal charm bracelet sets with high levels of cadmium manufactured in China and imported by Claire’s Boutiques of IL. The bracelets were sold exclusively at Claire's stores nationwide from February 2009 through January 2010.
Warning Issued on Buy-Rite Designs Holiday Charm Bracelets in March
In March 2010, CPSC issued a warning about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brand children’s Christmas and winter-themed bracelets containing high amounts of cadmium. The bracelets were imported by Buy-Rite Designs of NJ, but as the firm was no longer in business, CPSC could not work with it to conduct a voluntary recall.
55,000 FAF Necklaces Sold at Walmart Recalled in January
In January 2010, CPSC announced a voluntary recall of about 55,000 units of children’s metal necklaces for high levels of cadmium. The necklaces were imported by FAF Inc of RI and sold exclusively at Walmart stores.
Import, Sale, Distribution of Recalled Products is Prohibited
Note that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) made it explicitly unlawful to sell, offer for sale, manufacture for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the U.S. any consumer product that is subject to voluntary corrective action (e.g. a recall) or is not in conformity with a CPSC-enforced product safety rule. [See ITT’s Online Archives or 09/17/08 news, (Ref: 08091705), for BP summary.]
CPSC Investigating Cadmium’s Use as a Lead Substitute in Children’s Products
There is no federal ban on cadmium use in jewelry. However, in January 2010, CPSC initiated an investigation of cadmium in children’s metal jewelry and warned against its use in children’s products in general after press reports indicated that manufacturers (predominantly in China) may be substituting this heavy metal in the place of lead, which is limited by Federal regulations. [See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/12/10 news, (Ref: 10011210), for BP summary.]
[See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/15/10 and 02/02/10 news, (Ref: 10031599) #19 and (Ref: 10020299) #8, for BP summaries of CPSC’s March and January actions against children’s metal jewelry with high cadmium.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/12/10 news, (Ref: 10021210), for BP summary an NGO initiating legal action against certain retailers for high levels of cadmium in their jewelry.]
CPSC Notice on recall of Claire’s bracelets (dated 05/10/10) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10227.html
CPSC Notice on warning about Buy-Rite bracelets (dated 03/11/10) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10162.html
CPSC Notice on recall of FAF necklaces sold at Walmart (dated 01/29/10) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10127.html