Several California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) settlements
and judgements were reached in 2019 in relation to cadmium and lead in a
variety of consumer products.
The settlements and judgements involving lead include:
- Cell phone pouches: ≤ 100 ppm otherwise warning
- Coasters: ≤ 90 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100)
- Glass rain gauges with exterior designs: ≤ 90 ppm otherwise warning
- Keyrings: ≤ 90 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise warning
- Lamp raisers: ≤ 0.03% for metal or brass components otherwise warning
- Napkin rings: ≤ 90 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise warning
- Padlocks: ≤ 90 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise warning
- Pet raincoats: ≤ 100 ppm otherwise warning
- Rulers: ≤ 90 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise warning
- Tool pouches: ≤ 100 ppm and ≤ 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise warning
- USB cords: ≤ 90 ppm and 1.0 μg (NIOSH 9100) otherwise
warning
These settlements and judgements are interesting
because some include reformulation for both lead content and releasable lead,
with a Prop 65 Warning as an alternative.
In addition, there is a stringent reformulation for cadmium
involving jewelry that is sold individually or as part of a set with a dress or
other piece of clothing. The reformulation is ≤ 0.01% cadmium.
California Proposition 65 (Prop 65), or the ‘Safe
Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986’, was passed in November 1986.
It requires the state to maintain a list of chemicals (Prop 65 List) known to
cause cancer, birth defects and/or reproductive harm. First published in 1987,
this list now contains approximately 900 substances.
Unless exempted businesses operating in California
must provide ‘a clear and reasonable warning’ (Prop 65 Warning) before
knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a substance on the Prop 65 List.
Once a substance is listed, companies have twelve months to comply with this
requirement. Cadmium and lead have been listed since 1987.
It should be noted, these agreements only bind the named parties, but it is
advisable for all businesses operating in California to stay aware of them to
help avoid potential future problems.
SGS Prop 65 Services
With a global network of
laboratories, SGS can offer comprehensive testing, product assessment and
consultancy services related to California Proposition 65. SGS can assist your
risk management strategy in consumer goods, such as DIYs, electrical and electronics,
hardgoods products, juvenile products, and textile & toy products. Learn
more about SGS’s Prop 65 Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with
the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California
Proposition 65 Reformulation of Metals in Consumer Products SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
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