Santa Monica-based TheBeadChest.com agrees to $17,000 penalty, halts noncompliant products.
California regulators have taken enforcement action against a Santa Monica-based online jewelry retailer for selling products that violated state limits on lead content, the Department of Toxic Substances Control announced March 5.
TheBeadChest.com, a major supplier of beads and jewelry-making supplies, agreed to immediately stop offering noncompliant jewelry for sale and pay a $17,000 civil penalty, according to DTSC. The agency said testing showed some items exceeded California’s legal limits for lead, which poses serious health risks, particularly to children, including developmental delays, brain damage, organ failure and death.
“Online marketplaces have a broad reach, which makes swift action essential,” DTSC Director Katherine Butler said in a statement. “We appreciate this retailer took immediate steps to protect their customers from harmful lead exposure in jewelry. We expect other online retailers to do the same.”
The action is part of DTSC’s broader effort to enforce lead standards in consumer products, extending from brick-and-mortar stores to online sellers. TheBeadChest.com specializes in beads and supplies for handmade crafts and jewelry.
The agency urged parents to remove any potentially lead-containing jewelry from children and noted that commercial lead testing kits are available at some retailers. DTSC also conducts occasional lead screenings at jewelry events and provides more information on its website.
The settlement resolves violations of California’s health and safety laws governing lead in jewelry. No additional details on the specific products or testing results were released.
