Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products Restricted by New York’s Rockland County

Rockland County is the fourth county in New York State to regulate the sale of children’s products containing certain hazardous chemicals. The law will be enforced starting 11 October 2015.

On 16 June 2015, the New York Rockland County Legislature passed ‘The Toxic Free Toys Act’ (1) to prohibit the use of seven hazardous chemicals in children’s products. This local law was unsigned but not disapproved by the County Executive (2) and automatically became law without the County Executive’s signature.

Children’s Products Defined

According to the new law, a children’s product is defined as a product primarily intended for, made for, or marketed for use by children aged twelve and under. The following products are not within the meaning of a ‘children’s product’:
- Batteries
- Consumer electronics or components
- Drugs, medical devices or biological products regulated by the US FDA
- Food or food additives regulated by the US FDA
- Paper products

Restriction of Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products and Toys

This local law was filed with the New York State Secretary of State on 14 July, 2015. It will be effective as of 11 October 2015; ninety days after filing with the New York State Secretary of State.

Highlights of the new law are summarized below:

New York Rockland County Toxic Free Toys Act, Local Law No. 3 of 2015

Substance: Antimony, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, cobalt, lead and mercury    
Scope: Products for children up to the age of 12    
Requirement: Prohibited    
Effective Date: 11 October 2015

Rockland County now joins Albany County, Suffolk County and Westchester County in regulating certain chemicals in children’s products at the local government level in New York State. In May 2015, Albany County’s local law J, ‘The Toxic Free Toys Act’, was granted a motion of stay and will not be enforced until at least 6 months after any decision or order.    

References:

(1) New York Rockland County Toxic Free Toys Act, Local Law No. 3 of 2015 – June, 2015

(2) Rockland County Times – Day refuses to sign Legislative bills on drones, supposedly toxic toys – July 16 2015

About SGS Testing Services for Toys and Juvenile Products

Throughout its global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing, chemical testing and consultancy, for restricted substances in children’s products for the US and international markets.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact an SGS expert.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hingwo Tsang
Global Toys and Juvenile Products and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
1/F On Wui Centre
25 Lok Yip Road
Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong, China

t: +852 2774 7420
Email: [email protected]  
Website: http://www.sgs.com/juvenileproducts
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.