Toy Industry Association (TIA) Statement on Heavy Metals -- including Cadmium -- in Toys

October 26, 2012

Toys* sold in the United States are prohibited from containing heavy metals or any other substances that can result in harmful exposure to children. By law, toy companies must ensure that their products are in compliance with all relevant standards, regulations and tests – including applicable heavy metal limits – before they can be sold in this country.  

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has confirmed the effectiveness of these safety requirements by conducting a review of the marketplace and finding that cadmium is not an issue in toys.

Even so, as part of its ongoing efforts to continually enhance the U.S. toy safety standards, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and its members recently led an effort to add new, more stringent limits for heavy metals, such as cadmium, in toys.  The industry will not stop in its efforts to assure the ongoing development and implementation of strict, risk-based safety requirements for toys. Safety is the toy industry’s top priority. 

*Note:  Products such as children’s jewelry, apparel, shoes, backpacks or other children’s accessories are not considered toys.  These products are produced by other industries and, in some cases, subject to other requirements.