Jewelry and custom jewelry: prohibition of heavy metals

Safety regulations have become stricter in the jewelry segment. To limit the risks from cadmium-containing earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings, EU regulation 494/2011 (amending REACH Annex XVII) has been published.
The new regulation. EU regulation 494/2011 will come into effect December 10, 2011, and prohibits the use or marketing of the following:
-metal ornaments or other metal components in jewelry;
metal parts for jewelry, custom jewelry and hair accessories, including: bracelets, necklaces and rings; body piercing jewelry; wristwatches and straps; brooches and cufflinks if the concentration of cadmium is equal to or greater than 0.01%.
In 2004, restrictions were imposed on the use of cadmium in batteries and electronics and it is the now the turn of jewelry that contains high levels of cadmium. The restriction guarantees European consumers greater protection from exposure to cadmium and will reduce air pollution by this latter. The new legislation prohibits the use of cadmium in all plastic products and encourages the recovery of PVC for use in certain construction products. It will also be prohibited to use cadmium in brazing sticks for joining different materials; the fumes from the brazing process are very harmful if inhaled. Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for Environment, declared: “Prohibiting the use of cadmium in jewelry will protect consumers, and children in particular, and will benefit the environment because the absence of cadmium in plastic will contribute to reducing pollution”.
Although the new regulation does not mention eyewear frames, we advise eyewear manufacturers to evaluate the presence of cadmium in their products, if they haven’t already done so.
Certottica is available to answer any queries about this.