Lead

New restrictions further limiting the amount of Lead in consumer items come into force on 1^st June 2016. AnchorCert Analytical is UKAS accredited to test for lead content. And we offer two solutions for your business. A full test or our unique Quick Lead test, which means that we can issue reports in just 5 working days.

RAPEX, the EU Rapid alert system for dangerous non-food consumer products, has recently revealed a number of jewellery items that were withdrawn from the EU marketplace and in one particular case recalled from end users as they did not comply with the Reach Regulations concerning Nickel Release and Lead and Cadmium content.

Items withdrawn over the last month include earrings, necklaces and hair accessories. Three items withdrawn contained Cadmium and Lead in excess of over 1570 x the legal limit.

Cadmium Cadmium has long been recognised as a toxin and a known carcinogen, harmful when it is ingested or inhaled.  As a result of its harmful qualities, The EU extended the restrictions on Cadmium in the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Directive in December 2011.  The regulation restricts cadmium content in jewellery to 0.01% (100 mg/kg) by weight of metal and this applies to “metal beads and other metal jewellery components,…

  Test 1 - Combined Lead and Crystal compliance test – Quick Qualitative test The item will first be submitted for lead testing, if it contains less than 500ppm of lead, the test will end there as the item is compliant with the Lead Reach Regulations and therefore the customer will only pay the price of a Lead test, however if the item fails the lead test then it will be tested further automatically to determine if it is crystal glass, this test will state if the item is crystal gl…