Canada cracks down on toxic metals in children’s jewellery

by carly_midgley | May 3, 2018 2:04 pm

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New legislation will soon be enforced to minimize Canadian children’s exposure to toxic metals in jewellery. The limits for both lead and cadmium in children’s jewellery have tightened under an update to the Children’s Jewellery Regulations and the new Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations from Health Canada[2].

Both metals are considered harmful even in small quantities, particularly if children put products containing them in their mouths. Accordingly, the limit for lead content in children’s jewellery has dropped from 600 mg/kg to 90 mg/kg, and a cadmium level restriction of 130 mg/kg has also been introduced.

“Canada has some of the strictest lead regulations in the world for children’s products,” said Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of health. “I am proud to say these regulations, which also introduce limits for cadmium in children’s jewellery, go even further to protect our children from the risks of these toxic metals.”

In addition to jewellery, the new lead restrictions also apply to children’s toys, clothing, accessories, and other products. Both sets of rules will begin to be enforced on November 2.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/canada-cracks-down-on-toxic-metals-in-childrens-jewellery/

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