Product safety reportOPSS
Metal Earrings and Necklaces safety warning over harmful chemicals
Product Safety Report for Metal Earrings and Necklaces presenting a serious chemical risk.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice 
What to do now
Tests have found a harmful substance in Metal Earrings and Necklaces above the legal limit.
- Stop using it, and take it off children straight away.
- Wash your hands and any skin that has been in contact with it.
- This is a safety report rather than a manufacturer recall: the listing has been taken down, but the seller may not contact you. Get in touch with the seller through the marketplace.
- If you cannot reach the seller, Trading Standards can be told through Citizens Advice.
Why it matters. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- skin redness, itching or a rash where it touched
Get help urgently
- if a child has chewed or swallowed part of it and is unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order.
If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2403-0215). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Metal Earrings and Necklaces presenting a serious chemical risk.
The risk
The star earrings and gold earrings present a serious chemical risk as the cadmium content was found to be greater than the maximum permissible limit. Cadmium is harmful to human health as it accumulates in the body, can damage organs and may cause cancer. For further information on the health effects of cadmium exposure please access: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cadmium-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology
The linked love heart pendant was also found to present a serious chemical risk as it contains excess concentrations of nickel. Nickel is a strong sensitiser and can cause allergic reactions if present in articles that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. Further information regarding nickel can be found on Gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nickel-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology
The products do not meet the requirements of the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008.
Action taken
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.
Advice to consumers
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.
Additional information
PSD case number: 2403-0215
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Gold-coloured metal necklace with linked love hearts pendant, metal stud earrings with star shapes and gold-coloured metal earrings with partial red coating.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Metal Earrings and Necklaces been reported?
Tests have found a harmful substance in Metal Earrings and Necklaces above the legal limit. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Stop using it, and take it off children straight away. Wash your hands and any skin that has been in contact with it.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order. If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
