MJSA, the U.S. trade association for jewelry makers,
designers, and related suppliers, has alerted its members that California Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law the state’s recently passed cadmium
in children’s jewelry legislation.

The new law prohibits the manufacturing, shipping, and sale
of children’s jewelry or any of the jewelry’s components containing more than
0.03 percent (300 ppm) of cadmium as determined by a total weight test.
California defines children as 6 and under. The law takes effect Jan. 1,
2012. 

California joins Connecticut, Illinois, and Minnesota as
states that have passed legislation addressing the use of cadmium in children’s
jewelry. The laws were triggered by an Associated Press report early in 2010,
which disclosed that high levels of cadmium were being detected in children’s
jewelry purchased from U.S. retailers. The items were mostly imported from
overseas manufacturers, which began adding cadmium to their products as a
substitute for lead, now severely restricted by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission.

MJSA is participating in an ASTM voluntary group to produce
a new children’s jewelry safety standard, which will address the use of all
heavy metals (including cadmium) in children’s jewelry, as well as other
potential hazards.

The CPSC supported the formation of the group and is
participating. Though the CPSC has not guaranteed that it will adopt the new
standard, it often incorporates relevant ASTM standards into its
regulations. 

MJSA’s members-only resources include a frequently updated
chart of all legislation and laws pertaining to restrictions on cadmium in
jewelry, which MJSA members can obtain by e-mail (info@mjsa.org) or phone
(800-444-6572; 401-274-3840).

For more detailed general background and guidance on
complying with laws regulating cadmium and lead in children’s jewelry, MJSA has
produced two online guides. Go to: http://www.mjsa.org/public_affairs
or here,
to view them.

For more information, contact Peggy Jo Donahue, MJSA
director of public affairs, mailto:pj.donahue@mjsa.orgor
856-854-9357.

JCK