CEH Reaches 1st Nationwide Agreement with Retailer on Cadmium in Jewelry
The Center for Environmental Health announces that it has reached the first legally binding nationwide agreement to limit cadmium in children's and adult jewelry with Tween Brands, a division of Dress Barn that operates 890 "Justice" retail outlets geared to young girls.
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Cadmium Trace Level Limits Fully Effective Dec 31, 2011
The settlement sets a strict standard limiting cadmium to trace levels (0.03%) in both children's and adult jewelry sold at Justice stores. The standards in the settlement go fully into effect on December 31, 2011.
Tween Brands Agrees to Pay $45K Under Settlement
In addition to the reformulation agreement, Tween Brands agreed to pay $45,000 (after a $5,000 credit for their nationwide consumer recall of cadmium-containing jewelry), which includes payments to the State of California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, payments to help fund CEH's ongoing work to educate and protect Californians from cadmium in jewelry and other toxic health hazards, and payments to help defer CEH's legal expenses.
Previously Recalled Jewelry Had 2,300 Times More Cadmium than Agreed Limit
CEH launched the first legal challenge on cadmium in jewelry in February 2010. At that time, CEH found children’s jewelry at a Justice store with a component containing over 2,300 times more cadmium than the 0.03% level agreed to in the current settlement.
In summer 2010, Tween Brands investigated its inventory and ordered a nationwide consumer recall of their cadmium-containing jewelry.
Ongoing Legal Challenges With 40 Other Jewelry Retailers
CEH has found high levels of cadmium in jewelry sold by 40 other retailers, including Wal-Mart, Saks Fifth Avenue, Claire's, Old Navy, Aeropostale, CVS, Styles for Less, and others. CEH has ongoing legal challenges against these companies, alleging that the cadmium in their jewelry violates California consumer protection laws.
CEH Settled Lead Jewelry Lawsuits with More Than 150 Retailers, Distributors
Since CEH's 2006 legal settlement to end health threats from lead in jewelry, CEH has settled lead jewelry lawsuits with more than 150 jewelry retailers and distributors. The CEH settlement formed the basis of a California law that sets strict limits on lead in adult and children's jewelry.
1Cadmium is a heavy metal that can cause cancer, genetic damage, and kidney damage.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/24/10 news, 10052414, for BP summary of CEH initiating legal action against five other retailers for high cadmium levels in jewelry.
See ITT's Online Archives or 02/18/11 news, 11021808, for BP summary of CEH announcing that the California attorney general sent letters to three other retailers for lead and cadmium violations.
See ITT's Online Archives or 10/20/10 news, 10102018, for BP summary of CPSC announcing that it wants ASTM cadmium exposure limits and tests for children's jewelry, etc.
See ITT's Online Archives or 02/12/10 news, 10021210, for BP summary of CEH warning four retailers, including Justice, of high cadmium levels in their jewelry.)
(Press release dated 03/22/11