FJTA Still Pushing For Crystal Exemption

Thank goodness for the Federal Jewelry Trade Association (FJTA). Without this association, children's jewelry designers would be S.O.L.!

As of February 19th, the Commission has yet to respond to the FJTAs petition for crystal exemption in children's jewelry. But have no fear, the law firm for the FJTA is all over it. Here's the latest, word for word, on the inquiry submitted to the CPSC on February 17th:

"...we urge the Commission to immediately docket the Crystal Petition and to issue a statement of enforcement discretion regarding children's products using crystal in a manner that adheres to the provisions of California Health & Safety Code 25214.1.4 governing exclusions for crystal. Once docketed, under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), the Commission could issue an immediate temporary final rule to exclude crystal from the total lead limits until the rulemaking was completed. Immediate action will not result in harm to children who wear or handle crystal or glass rhinestones in jewelry and apparel. Without prompt action companies are being forced to accept returns of unsafe product for destruction, or to compensate customers for unsold products featuring crystals and rhinestones."

Looks like we will probably see the CPSIA revised to read much like the Lead in Jewelry Law as written in the State of California. At least let's hope so anyway! To check out California's current Lead in Jewelry Law, click the link below:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=hsc&group=25001-26000&file=25214.1-25214.4.2

FJTA Petitions CPSIA to Allow Crystals in Children's Jewelry

Today, the CPSIA posted a petition from the Federal Jewelry Trade Association to ask that crystals and glass beads be excluded from the current "banned components" list in children's jewelry.

The proposed regulations reads as follows:

"The Commission should issue a temporary final rule amending Part 1500 by adding a new provision as follows:

Exemptions from total lead limits under Section 101 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act for glass and crystal beads and rhinestones and glass and crystal decorative articles and objects.

(a) The following class of materials used in children's products is excluded from the prohibitions of Section 101(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act:

(1)glass and crystal beads or rhinestones less than 1 gram in children's products primarily designed or intended for children age six (6) and younger;
(2) glass and crystal beads or rhinestones in children's products primarily designed or intended for children 7-12; and
(3) all decorative uses of glass and crystal such as picture frames, lamp and figurines in children's products.

To read the entire proposal, click the link below:
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/petition/pp41.pdf

Let's keep our fingers crossed that they vote on this soon!