Recently, American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) has published the first adult jewelry standard ASTM F2999-13 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Adult Jewelry in USA. This specification only applies to adult jewelry designed or intended primarily for use by consumers over age 12. Requirements and methods for specific elements and certain mechanical hazards are set forth. Specific elements include lead, cadmium, soluble metals and nickel release, and certain mechanical hazards refer to hazardous magnets, batteries and suction tongue studs. (Details for the requirements please refer to tables below.)
The specification cites some requirements under California Proposition to jewelry containing lead (AB1681 and amendment AB2901) and those under ASTMF2923-11. As far, it is the first voluntary standard for adult jewelry in USA.
Table 1 Chemical Requirements under ASTM F2999-13
Chemical items | Materials (Accessible) | Threshold level | Method | Remark |
Total lead | Electroplated metal with suitable under and finish coats | 6.0% | CPSC-CH-E1001-08 CPSC-CH-E1002-08 CPSC-CH-E1003-09 EPA 3050B EPA 3051A EPA 3052 ASTM F2853-10 | 1. Materials Excluded is same to California Proposition to jewelry containing lead (AB1681 and amendment AB2901); 2. Approved Materials for Adult Body-Piercing Jewelry is same to California Proposition to jewelry containing lead (AB1681 and amendment AB2901) |
Unplated metal | 1.5% | |||
Plastic or rubber, including acrylic, polystyrene, plastic beads and stones, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | 200mg/kg | |||
Materials not otherwise classified | 600mg/kg | |||
Paint or surface coating | 600mg/kg | |||
Total cadmium | Accessible metal or plastic / polymeric components | 15000mg/kg | Same to the methods of total lead | When total cadmium exceeds 15000mg/kg, further test is needed to determine the extracted cadmium. Please refer to table 2 for details. |
7 soluble heavy metals | Paint and Surface Coatings | Sb: 60mg/kg As: 25mg/kg Ba: 1000mg/kg Cd: 75mg/kg Cr: 60mg/kg Hg: 60mg/kg Se: 500mg/kg | ASTM F963-11 ASTM F2923-11 EN 71-3 | If the sample weight of surface coating materials is less than 10 mg, the sample is free from test for soluble heavy metals in coatings. |
Nickel Release | Metals | - | EN 1811: 2011 EN 12472: 2009 CR 12471: 2002 | - |
Liquid | - | - | - | It should not contain materials which would require special labeling under 16 CFR 1500.14. |
7 Heavy metals | Substrate materials | Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Se | - | No limits to heavy metal in adult jewelry |
Phthalates | - | - | - | No limits to phthalates in adult jewelry |
Materials | Items and Threshold level | Method | Remarks | |
Metals | Small parts | Extracted cadmium: 200μg | CPSC-CH-E1004-11 | Mouthable part refers to a jewelry product or component that is smaller than 5 cm in one dimension. |
Mouthable parts | Saline Extracted cadmium: 18μg | ASTM F2999-13 | ||
Plastic, polymeric | Small parts | Soluble cadmium: 75mg/kg | EN71-3 | |
Mouthable parts | Saline Extracted cadmium: 18μg | ASTM F2999-13 |
Mechanical items | Requirements |
Hazardous Magnets | Adult jewelry that contains hazardous magnets should include a warning statement. |
Adult Jewelry Containing Batteries | It shall not be accessible without the use of a coin, screwdriver, or other common household tool. |
Suction Tongue Studs | Suction tongue studs should include a warning statement |
Age label | An age label or a warning that the product is not intended for children. |