Task Force Formed Over Cadmium Risk in Accessories Industry

Task Force Formed Over Cadmium Risk in Accessories

North Kingston, RI-The Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association has formed a safety task force to advise federal agencies who could regulate the use of cadmium in jewelry, handbag hardware and other accessories classifications.

(Necklaces - Image from Haap Media LTD - All Rights Reserved)

The association created the task force in response to what executive director Michael Gale calls recent "inaccurate news stories and misunderstanding of our (jewelry and accessories) products." Cadmium, a heavy metal, is typically found in trace amounts in metal components such as zinc or tin used in making fashion jewelry and in solders used in fine jewelry.

Cadmium emerged as the latest safety concern when the Associated Press conducted lab tests on children's jewelry made in China. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled the products, but some politicians have called for a ban on cadmium use.

"Let me be clear: cadmium is not being widely substituted for lead in children's jewelry and our products are safe. Available data indicates that children jewelry doesn't contain levels of cadmium that could cause health risks," Gale says.

The association's task force plans to work with the CPSC to develop a "robust, science-based national standard" for cadmium use in jewelry and handbag hardware. "As part of our work, we are in close contact with the CPSC which is reviewing the issue under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act."

Formerly known as the International Fashion Jewelry & Accessory Group (IFJAG), the 250-member group recently changed its name to The Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association in an effort to expand its scope to include handbag and leather goods importers, manufacturers and retailers.

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