State Moves to Ban Leaded Children's Jewelry, Disrupt Marketplace

The Massachusetts Public Health Council (PHC) has voted unanimously to adopt strict regulations banning the sale of leaded children's jewelry in the Commonwealth.  The regulation was adopted over the strong opposition of RAM, the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association (FJTA) and numerous in-state jewelry manufacturers, who all advocated in favor of following the states of California and Minnesota in adopting a uniform standard acceptable to the industry.  The thresholds for accessible lead levels and testing standards included in the regulation will now impose the strictest standard in the country. 

Children's jewelry is defined as “jewelry marketed to or intended for use by children less than 14 years of age.”  Retailers will be forced to rely heavily on manufacturers and distributors further up the supply chain to supply proof of testing and documentation, which the retailer will be required to produce at the point of sale should the state request it during enforcement and compliance efforts.  The regulations are scheduled to go into effect June 13, 2008, to allow industry time to come into compliance and to allow for a 30-day comment period on a guidance document outlining laboratory testing methods and compliance requirements.

If your company sells any children's jewelry of any kind your business will be impacted by these regulations and you will need to take steps to ensure compliance.  For more information please visit the DPH Lead in Jewelry site or contact Bill Rennie, RAM's Vice President, at (617) 523-1900 ext. 11 or brennie@retailersma.org.