General Statement on Lead Content per CPSIA Act of 2008
We have had many inquiries about the compliance of our products with the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act) of 2008, which mandates strict limits on the amount of lead in items used by children. We
have had our products tested for compliance. Our applicators are well within the tolerance levels of the act.
Our crystals, however, are leaded crystals. As such, they exceed the maximum tolerance for children, as
defined by the Act. Our crystals are not toys -- they are not intended for children.
For more information, please read the following two statements that were issued by Swarovski as it pertains
to Swarovski crystals. This same information applies to all crystals sold by Glitz N Wear.
Swarovski Overview Statement on Lead Content 10/16/08
Recently, there has been an increased regulatory focus on potential human exposure to lead from various
consumer products, including jewelry. We hope that our customers will find this overview of current
requirements applicable to lead in jewelry and other products useful. Recognizing that the regulatory
landscape is rapidly changing, however, it remains the responsibility of our business customers to assure
that their use of crystal in jewelry and other products is consistent with all applicable requirements.
How is lead in crystal different from lead in other products? Crystal has unique properties. The crystal
manufacturing process creates a matrix, which inhibits the mobility of lead. Because of this structure, lead
crystal poses no significant risk of excessive lead exposure to human health via surface contact (hand to
mouth), mouthing or even ingestion. By contrast, lead in other materials that might be used in jewelry, such
as coatings, metal or plastic, may be accessible to consumers. That is why some regulatory bodies, like the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), have focused on children’s metal jewelry and surface
coatings, and not crystal.
Has crystal been tested to assess the potential for lead exposure? Swarovski crystals have been tested
under a variety of test methods for extractable lead, including the CPSC’s Standard Operating Procedure for
Determining Lead (Pb) and Its Availability in Children’s Metal Jewelry, ASTM F963-03 (the standard on
accessible lead in toys), and EN 71/3 (the European standard for lead in toys). Test conditions and
procedures do vary, but lead levels are well below regulatory limits even when the crystal is tested in an acid
solution to maximize the release of lead.
What are the current national limits applicable to lead in crystal jewelry? The Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 was signed into law by President Bush on August 14, 2008. According to
this law, the age of a child has been defined as 12 and under. All products for a child are required to have
less than 600ppm lead by February 10, 2009 and the limit progressively decreases to 300ppm within 1 year
and 100ppm within 3 years, if feasible. The CPSC does not have any restrictions on the use of crystal in adult
jewelry; therefore, this would only be relevant to products intended for children as defined above.
Do state limits apply to crystal jewelry? The CPSIA includes language that prevents states from passing their
own lead limits on children’s products. The states that had legislation in place prior to the Federal Act
passing will now defer to the national standard. Certain states that have legislation referencing lead in adult
products would not be affected by the CPSIA.
What is Swarovski doing? Swarovski will try to keep you informed of actions that affect your use of our
products. Recognizing that the regulatory landscape changes often, it remains the responsibility of our
business customers to assure that their use of crystal in jewelry and other products is consistent with all
applicable requirements.
Swarovski Crystal Position 10/16/08
Recently, there has been an increased regulatory focus on potential human exposure to lead from various
consumer products, including jewelry. Crystal has unique properties. The crystal manufacturing process
creates a matrix which inhibits the mobility of lead. In other words, lead is bound into the structure of the
crystal. Because of this structure, lead crystal poses no significant risk of excessive lead exposure to human
health via surface contact (hand to mouth), mouthing or even ingestion. Indeed, Swarovski crystals have been
tested under a variety of test methods for extractable lead. Test conditions and procedures do vary, but lead
levels are well below regulatory limits even when the crystal is tested in an acid solution to maximize the
release of lead.
Most authorities considering lead in crystal have concluded that limits on total lead should not apply to crystal.
In 2006, for example, the California Attorney General settled a lawsuit brought in the state alleging exposure
to lead from jewelry. The court-approved settlement agreement, as well as the later legislatively enacted
Californian AB 1681, established limits for lead in metals and several other components, with stricter
standards for jewelry intended for children 6 and younger. Significantly, in recognition of the limited risk of
availability of lead from crystal, the settlement agreement as well as California AB 1681 allows the continued
use of crystal without limitation in jewelry not intended for children.
On August 14, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
of 2008 located at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html. This Act represents the most comprehensive
overhaul of this country’s consumer product safety laws since the creation of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) in 1972. New limits on lead take effect on February 10th, 2009.
According to this law, the age of a child has been defined as 12 and under. All products for a child are
required to have less than 600ppm lead by February 10, 2009 and the limit progressively decreases to
300ppm within 1 year and 100ppm within 3 years, if feasible. In addition, there is preemption language in the
law that will prevent states from passing legislation in the future with regard to lead limits. The states that
currently have legislation regarding children’s products in place will default to the federal standard. Therefore,
California will be using the new standards for children’s products as of February 10, 2009 but the California
adult standard, which allows for a total crystal exemption, still stands.
Swarovski will try to keep you informed of actions that affect your use of our products. Recognizing that the
regulatory landscape changes often, it remains the responsibility of our business customers to assure that
their use of crystal in jewelry and other products is consistent with all applicable requirements.