What is in your Jewellery?

REACH is a European Union Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals, and restricts the use of many potentially hazardous substances. Although the regulation came into force in June 2007, many manufacturers and retailers are unaware of the implications.

A recent newspaper article reported that a Manchester-based jewellery wholesaler has been fined £4000 and charged with three offences under the REACH enforcement regulations after Trading Standards found that the business was selling potentially toxic products.

REACH affects all industry sectors and aims to make those who place the chemicals on the market responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use. Although the EU REACH Regulation has various Annexes for jewellery items, it applies to anyone who supplies products containing lead or cadmium, as well as products which contain nickel and are intended to come into direct contact with the skin.

Two items sold by the jewellery wholesaler failed the REACH regulations included a children’s jewellery set, which contained over 6000 times the legal limit of cadmium.  Also,  a pair of earrings containing over 3000 times the legal limit of lead.

AnchorCert Analytical, part of the Birmingham Assay Office, can support manufacturers concerning consumer product safety testing and compliance. As well as offering product testing that meets the REACH regulation, the AnchorCert Pro Testing Methodology is a unique UKAS-accredited test that identifies and measures metallic elements that may cause an allergic reaction. The singular test provides compliance to the EU Nickel, Lead and Cadmium, RoHS REACH and GSPD directives and provides reassurance that the tested product is kind to the skin.

Find out more about how AnchorCert Pro can protect you and your customers, get in touch with Michael Goode, ACP Product manager.