The EU has drafted a new Regulation on lead in jewellery products for European Committee’s further consideration, sources reported.

In July 2010, France proposed to restrict lead and its compounds to no more than 0.09 μg/cm²/hr in jewellery products. A draft Regulation on lead in jewellery under entry 63 of ANNEX XVII of REACH was published in the European Commission Comitology Register and is being considered further for adoption. Under the draft Regulation, lead and its compounds must not be more than 0.05% in any individual part of jewellery, imitation jewellery and hair accessories, including:

1. bracelets, necklaces and rings
2. piercing jewellery
3. wrist watches and wrist-wear
4. brooches and cufflinks

EXEMPTION

1. crystal glass under ANNEX I (categories 1-4) of Directive 69/493/EEC
2. internal components of watch timepieces that are inaccessible to consumers
3. non-synthetic or reconstructed precious and semi-precious stones (CN Code 7103 under Regulation (EEC) 2658/87) unless treated with lead
4. enamels