What's happening
This bill bans the sale or distribution of novelty consumer products containing a specified level of cadmium in New York.
Why it matters
Reduces Health Risks. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal linked to kidney, bone, and lung damage. By banning novelty products like jewelry, toys, and ornaments with significant cadmium content, the bill aims to limit everyday exposure—especially important for children and consumers who might accidentally ingest or handle these items.
Shifts Responsibility to Manufacturers. The bill not only bans sales and distribution but also requires manufacturers to inform retailers about the ban and proper disposal methods. This creates a clear chain of responsibility, reducing the risk of old stock quietly remaining on shelves or being improperly discarded.
Promotes Safer Retail Environments. Retailers must be notified and guided on safe disposal, which helps prevent banned products from being sold through ignorance or oversight and ensures hazardous materials are not simply thrown away in ways that could harm sanitation workers or the environment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Cadmium in Novelties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1607
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, CARLUCCI, HOYLMAN, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to cadmium-added novelty consumer products
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 27 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new title 2 to read as follows:
TITLE 2
CADMIUM-ADDED NOVELTY CONSUMER PRODUCTS Section 27-0201. Cadmium-added novelty consumer products. § 27-0201. Cadmium-added novelty consumer products.
1. "Cadmium-added novelty consumer product" means a product intended mainly for personal use or adornment that contains cadmium in an amount equal to or in excess of .0075 per cent by weight. Cadmium-added novelty consumer products include but are not limited to jewelry, toys and ornaments.
2. On and after June 1, 2019, no person shall sell, offer for sale or distribute free of charge in the state any cadmium-added novelty consumer product. A manufacturer that produces or that sells cadmium-added novelty consumer products shall notify retailers that sell such products about the product ban and inform such retailers how to properly dispose of the remaining inventory.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00859-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to cadmium-added novelty consumer products
Purpose of the bill
This bill would prohibit the sale of jewelry, toys or ornaments to which cadmium has been added intentionally during formulation or manufacturing.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law by adding a new title 2 to Article 27 that will:
*define "cadmium-added consumer novelty product" to mean a product intended for personal use or adornment that contains cadmium in an amount equal to or in excess of .0075 percent by weight.
*prohibit the sale, offer for sale or free distribution of cadmium-added novelty consumer products after June 1, 2018; and,
*require a manufacturer that produces or sells cadmium-added novelty products to notify retailers of such ban and inform them how to properly dispose of the remaining inventory.
Section 2 of the bill creates and immediate effective date.
Justification
Cadmium is a metal that is inexpensive, malleable and highly resistant to corrosion, making it desirable for use in plastics as a stabilizer and in electroplating; however, cadmium interferes with how the body uses calcium and has been associated with harmful health impacts including cancer and kidney disease.
An Associated Press story found high levels of cadmium in low priced children's jewelry on sale in the United States. This legislation would help protect the health and safety of children and consumers by prohibiting the inclusion of cadmium in jewelry, toys and ornaments.
Prior legislative history
2010 Assembly Bill 9755-B (Sweeney)(Reported and Referred to Rules) 2011-2012 Assembly Bill A1158 (Sweeney)(Passed)/S2729 (Fuschillo) 2013-2014 S.6729/A.4822 (Sweeney) 2015-16, S.1126-A
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.