A new consumer protection law went into effect on February 10, 2009. The Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), is intended to regulate the lead
content in products (including jewelry) for children age 12 and younger.The law requires third-party testing
and certification of lead content for all children's jewelry
products made after March 23, 2009. Those products must contain no more
than 600 ppm (0.06 percent) lead content by weight. That threshold will
drop to 300 ppm (0.03 percent) in August.
Presently, Swarovski Crystal is included in the law, and even small business owners and crafters are required to follow the law. There is hope that Swarovski Crystal may be removed from the testing for children, in the coming year. The following statement is from a Swarovski Crystal representative. Crystal has unique properties. While made with lead, the crystal
manufacturing process creates a matrix which greatly retards the
mobility of lead. By contrast, lead in other materials such as unplated
metal containing lead may be available for surface exposures. Swarovski
believes that the use of their products poses no significant risk to
human health.
Until further notice, I will discontinue the use of Swarovski Crystals and Swarovski Pearls in my childrens jewelry designs. Natural materials, such as pearls and gemstone beads do not requires testing, as well as other glass beads. I will be posting alternative designs, and will be happy to discuss alternative options for custom designs.
