Lead

The compliance level is very low at less than 0.05%(500ppm) and ensuring that all lead is extracted from the sample is crucial. Some tests are being carried out using an American method originally developed to analyse sediments, soil and sludge for environmental purposes. It is completely unsuitable for glass, ceramics and compounds. Comparative testing by The Laboratory has consistently proven this Method EPA 3050B to be ineffective in checking for compliance with the lead regulation for gl…

    Lead has long been recognized as a toxin and jewellers have felt an obligation to ensure products are “safe” but there has been no specific requirement for lead, unlike toys and other products.  As a result many have been using EN71-3, the standard required for toys, to determine migration levels for lead. The situation has now been clarified with a clear requirement to ensure that lead content by weight is less than 500 parts per million, providing a definite, more …

New EU rules about which chemicals can be used in toy jewellery or kids’ pieces cannot be ignored. We asked the Birmingham Assay Office’s Michelle Cartwright to talk us through the issues. Product safety is becoming increasingly regulated within the EU and thus having a significant impact on the jewellery and watch industry. The burden is felt particularly heavily in the case of children’s jewellery which tends to sell for a lower price, partly due to its smaller size and a…

The legislation is enforceable from 9th October 2013 and many customers have been asking for a test to verify that glass components in jewellery and watches fall within the recognised definition of “crystal glass.”