EC Proposes Regulation to Limit Cadmium in Jewelry, Etc.
In June 2010, the European Commission notified World Trade Organization members of a draft regulation that would modify the cadmium restrictions under Annex XVII of the EC REACH1 regulation (EC Regulation 1907/2006) to, among other things, restrict the amount of cadmium allowed in jewelry.
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Would Limit Cadmium to 0.01% by Weight in Certain Jewelry, Watches, Etc.
Under the draft regulation, cadmium in concentration greater than 0.01 % by weight of the metal would not be able to be used or placed on the market in beads and other accessories for jewelry making, and in jewelry and costume jewelry articles, including:
- Piercing jewelry;
- Wrist-watches and wrist-wear;
- Hair accessories; and
- Brooches and cufflinks.
(See draft regulation for other proposed changes, including: (i) limiting cadmium in brazing fillers (used to make jewelry, etc.) to no more than 0.01% by weight; (ii) excluding the cadmium restrictions with respect to mixtures manufactured from recycled PVC; (iii) certain organizational changes; (iv) etc.)
Earliest Likely Effective Date Would be July 2011
According to trade sources, the draft regulation is expected to be adopted in January 2011. As the draft states that the regulation would take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal and would apply six months later, these cadmium provisions would be unlikely to apply before July 2011.
1REACH entered into force on June 1, 2007, and is intended to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the EU. It stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals and places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to health and the environment.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/13/10 news, 10071322, for BP summary of the EC notifying WTO members of this draft regulation.)