Health Canada Issues Guide to Children’s jewelry

Health Canada has issued a concise industry guide for children's jewelry to be marketed in Canada. The guide made the definition for children and children's jewelry. Children are defined as  "under 15", and children's jewelry includes but not limits to animal brooch, birthstone ring and pendant. However, merit badges, medals for achievement or other similar objects normally worn only occasionally are not included. The limits for lead, both in substrates and surface coatings, and proposed limits for cadmium are detailed in the guide based on Children's Jewelry Regulation (SOR/2011-19), Surface Coating Materials Regulations and Proposed Guidelines for Cadmiunm in Children's Jewelry.  Important details include:

The total Lead is not more than 600ppm (mg/kg) and migratable lead should be not more than 90ppm in substrates for children's jewelry.

The total Leadin surface coatings should be not more than 90ppm by weight for children's jewelry;

The total Cadmium should be not more than 130ppm by weight based on the proposed limit of CCPSA.

The guide is applied to children's jewelry and Health Canada also pointed that it is encouraged to avoid the use of lead in all jewelry items.