On 17 November 2015, Hangzhou Authority returned an array of imitation jewelry (artificial crystal pendants) imported from Taiwan due to dangerous level of lead and arsenic.

According to information, Hangzhou Inspection and Quarantine Bureau found that the measuring values of lead and arsenic are 7,456 mg/kg and 2,421 mg/kg respectively during the test of the products, non-compliant with the limit of 1,000 mg/kg in GB 28480-2012 Adornment—Provision for limit of baneful elements. It decided to return the low-quality products after communicating with the operators.

Element	As	Cr (IV)	Hg	Pb	Cd
Maximum (mg/kg)	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000

As for lead present in children’s jewelry in a concentration equal to or less than 300 mg/kg, other limits of hazardous elements should comply with those in Table 1 and the migration values should be less than or equal to those in Table 2.

Element	Sb	As	Ba	Cd	Cr	Pb	Hg	Se
Maximum (mg/kg)	60	25	1,000	75	60	90	60	500

Lead is known as one of toxic and accumulative heavy metals, which may do harm to the nerves, hemopoietic system and digestive system in the long run. However, dangerous level of arsenic may lead to decoration and dermal injuries to the human body, leading to adverse effects of central nervous system after accumulation. Skin is the major way for lead and arsenic to enter human bodies. So it is for certain that consumers will get injured with such unqualified pendants. Furthermore, wastes of such products with dangerous levels of heavy metals will harm the environment.

C&K Testing advises importers to choose authoritative testing bodies for product testing to avoid loss caused by destruction or return.