European Commission has proposed a draft regulation amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of REACH regulation, in order to prohibit the use of lead and its compounds in jewelry articles. The proposed date of entry into force is the twentieth day following the publication in the official journal.

The Challenge
For any individual part of jewelry articles, imitation jewelry and hair accessories shall not contain more than or equal to 0.05% by weight of lead or its compounds. Jewelry articles includes:

• Piercing jewelry;
• Wrist watches and wrist wear;
• Brooches and cufflinks.

For the purposes of the regulation
"Any individual part" shall include the materials from which the jewelry is made, as well as the individual components. This shall also apply to individual parts when used or placed on the market for jewelry-making.

Exemption

• Crystal glass as defined in Annex I (categories 1-4) of Directive 69/493/EEC;
• Internal components of watch timepieces inaccessible to consumer;
• Non-synthetic or reconstructed precious and semiprecious stones, unless it has been treated with lead or its compounds or mixtures containing these substances;
• Enamels;
• Jewelry produced before Dec 10, 1961;
• Jewelry placed on market before 12 months after the date of entry into force.

The Solution
Intertek has developed precise analytical methods in verifying the concentration of lead content in consumer products. By leveraging our local services and global network, we enable our customers to dedicate their primary energies to their core business activities.