Certification and Registration
US. Heavy Metal Regulations
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It is well known that heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium are highly toxic to children. We have a responsibility to ensure that children are not exposed to these heavy metals through toys, jewelry, or drinking water pipes. Many regions across the United States have continuously provided strong momentum by requiring manufacturers to take responsibility and protecting children from heavy metal exposure through common-sense legislation.
Hazards of Heavy Metal Substances
Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium occur naturally, but they are far from harmless. They can be found in many products, including art supplies, automotive components, paints, hair dyes, jewelry, and even candy. Old paint containing lead can degrade into dust, which is easily inhaled. Water systems across the United States, such as those in Flint, Michigan, and parts of Oakland, California, have been contaminated by lead and other metals due to aging infrastructure and poor manufacturing practices. These chemicals can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, and certain cancers.
Heavy Metal Substances Through Food Intake
Metals can be present in food, including imported candy, traditional medicines, and spices. Arsenic can also be found in some infant cereals made from rice grown in areas where groundwater contains high levels of arsenic.
Heavy Metal Substances Through Drinking Water
Heavy metals enter drinking water after being released from vehicles, coal-fired power plants, manufacturing processes, and leaching from pipes in older buildings.
Actions Being Taken by U.S. States
Although significant progress has been made in some regions of the United States to restrict the use of certain metals, legacy contamination continues to affect many communities. Policies addressing lead in homes and drinking water, arsenic in food, and cadmium in consumer products can help reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals.
Tracking of Heavy Metal Substances
Current Policies
● Maryland HB0011: Establishes a Private Well Safety Program within the Department of the Environment to manage and address contamination issues affecting certain private and household drinking water wells in the state. Requires the department to adopt regulations for water quality testing related to manganese, arsenic, radon, mercury, and all volatile organic compounds with maximum contaminant levels.
● Maryland SB0483: Establishes a Private Well Safety Program within the Department of the Environment to manage and address contamination issues affecting certain private and household drinking water wells in the state. Requires the department to adopt regulations for water quality testing related to manganese, arsenic, radon, mercury, and all volatile organic compounds with maximum contaminant levels.
● New York A.188: Prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes containing toxic metals such as lead, manganese, nickel, chromium, and zinc. Requires the Department of Health to study the long-term health effects associated with electronic cigarette use.
● New York S.2133: Prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes containing certain toxic metals and requires the Department of Health to study the long-term health effects associated with electronic cigarette use.
● New York S.4246: Enacts the “Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act,” requiring companies that sell, offer for sale, or distribute covered packaging materials and products to reduce consumer packaging, improve recycling and reuse infrastructure, including support for reusable and refillable systems, provide financial support for municipal recycling programs, reduce toxic substances in packaging, and require product manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life packaging solutions.
● New York S.4265: Prohibits the sale or distribution of personal care products or cosmetics containing restricted substances, including but not limited to heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and formaldehyde.
● Oregon SB494: Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a long-term study on the cumulative impacts of air pollutants around municipal solid waste incinerators. The study shall evaluate exposure to heavy metals, dioxins, and other pollutants, as well as the impacts of such exposure on public health.
● Tennessee SB0573: Requires producers to submit and implement producer responsibility plans. Prohibits the sale or distribution of packaging containing phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS, styrene, lead and lead compounds, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, perchlorate, benzophenones, formaldehyde, halogenated flame retardants, toluene, and other chemicals of high concern.
● Texas HB 872: Requires manufacturers that sell lipstick or lip gloss cosmetics to disclose on their websites and product labels whether the products contain toxic metals, including lead, chromium, cadmium, aluminum, and manganese.
Adopted Policies
● Arkansas SB 323: Requires the removal of mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles and establishes collection and recycling programs for such switches. Requires manufacturers to prepare mercury minimization plans. (Passed in 2005)
● California SB 929: Prohibits the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2010)
● California AB 1879: Establishes a process to identify, prioritize, and evaluate chemicals of concern in consumer products, determine the best methods to limit exposure or reduce hazard levels, and establish Green Chemistry Challenge Grants and the Green Ribbon Science Panel. (Passed in 2008)
● California AB 1681: Requires jewelry to be made only from approved metals and prohibits the use of lead. (Passed in 2006)
● California AB 2694: Prohibits the sale of toys containing lead compounds exceeding federal standards or soluble compounds of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, selenium, or barium. (Passed in 2008)
● California AB 2901: Prohibits the use of Class 1, 2, or 3 materials in jewelry and establishes trace limits for lead in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2008)
● California SB 757: Prohibits the use of lead in wheel weights. (Passed in 2009)
● California SB 1365: Prohibits the sale of toys contaminated with any toxic substances, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. (Passed in 2010)
● California AB 2347: Requires manufacturers of mercury thermostats to conduct educational outreach, establish collection programs, and properly dispose of such thermostats. (Passed in 2008)
● California AB 1415: Prohibits the sale of certain products containing added mercury, mercury switches or relays, mercury flame retardants, and new or refurbished ovens or gas stoves containing mercury flame retardants. (Passed in 2005)
● California AB 1369: Prohibits the sale of thermostats containing added mercury. (Passed in 2004)
● California AB 501: Prohibits the use of mercury, cadmium, and lead in brake friction materials. (Passed in 2013)
● California SB 346: Prohibits the use of brake materials containing more than 0.1% by weight of lead, mercury, or cadmium. (Passed in 2010)
● California SB 647: Reduces the allowable lead content in children’s jewelry and expands the definition of “children” to include individuals up to 15 years old. (Passed in 2020)
● Connecticut HB 5314: Prohibits the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2010)
● Connecticut HB 5650: Prohibits any children’s product designated as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and requires warning labels on lead-containing products accessible to children. (Passed in 2008)
● Connecticut S 350: Requires mercury thermostat manufacturers to establish collection programs and properly manage disposal. (Passed in 2012)
● Delaware HB 362: Prohibits the sale of toys containing toxic substances (defined as lead or other unsafe substances), prohibits the use of such toys in daycare facilities, and establishes a list of unsafe toys. (Passed in 2008)
● Delaware H.Con. Res. 64: Supports the Delaware Nurses Association’s Mercury Thermometer Exchange Week and encourages retail organizations within the state to voluntarily stop stocking and selling mercury thermometers. (Passed in 2004)
● Delaware HB 456: Prohibits the use of lead-based paint on outdoor structures. (Passed in 2018)
● Hawaii S 2402: Prohibits the use of mercury lamps. (Passed in 2012)
● Illinois HB 5040: Prohibits the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry and designates cadmium as a priority chemical. (Passed in 2010)
● Illinois SB 2860: Prohibits the use of lead in children’s products and requires warning labels on other lead-containing products. (Passed in 2008)
● Illinois SB 3347: Prohibits the use of lead and mercury in wheel weights. (Passed in 2010)
● Illinois SB 1213: Prohibits the sale and distribution of mercury-containing rings, seals, and sensors; requires the removal of mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles. (Passed in 2011)
● Illinois SB 1241: Prohibits mercury thermostats. (Passed in 2007)
● Illinois HB 2429: Requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to establish a website providing information on mercury-containing compact fluorescent lamps and informing consumers on proper disposal methods. (Passed in 2009)
● Illinois HB 1530: Prohibits the use of mercury thermometers. (Passed in 2003)
● Illinois SB 2551: Prohibits elemental mercury, mercury-containing chemicals, or mercury-containing teaching equipment or materials in elementary and secondary schools. Prohibits the use of mercury switches or relays. (Passed in 2004)
● Illinois HB 943: Prohibits certain measuring devices containing added mercury. (Passed in 2007)
● Illinois HB 5578: Requires the removal and reporting of mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles and requires manufacturers to establish collection and recycling programs. (Passed in 2006)
● Illinois SB 3346: Requires thermostat manufacturers to establish mercury thermostat collection programs and submit reports. (Passed in 2010)
● Indiana HB 1589: Requires video display manufacturers to disclose whether their products exceed maximum concentration values for chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. (Passed in 2009)
● Indiana HB 1110: Requires automobile manufacturers to establish and implement programs to remove, collect, recycle, reuse, or dispose of certain mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles; requires recyclers to remove such switches before processing. (Passed in 2006)
● Iowa HF 2669: Prohibits the use of mercury thermostats. (Passed in 2008)
● Iowa Code §§ 455B.801-455B.809: Requires automobile manufacturers to establish and implement programs to remove, collect, recycle, reuse, or dispose of certain mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles; requires mercury switches to be removed from vehicles before disposal. (Passed in 2006)
● Louisiana HCR 51: Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to develop an action plan to reduce mercury use and mercury releases into the environment and minimize human exposure to mercury. (Passed in 2005)
● Louisiana SB 615: Prohibits the sale of products containing added mercury without prior written notification to the Department of Environmental Quality. Prohibits the sale of mercury-added novelty items, mercury fever thermometers, or other mercury-containing products unless properly labeled. Requires reasonable efforts to remove or verify the removal of mercury contained in vehicles before disposal and requires plans for establishing collection systems. Requires state agencies to prioritize the procurement of mercury-free products. (Passed in 2006)
● Maine LD 2048: Identifies chemicals of high concern and requires reporting of their use and replacement with safer alternatives. (Passed in 2008)
● Maine LD 1129: Selects up to 70 chemicals as chemicals of high concern based on potential exposure to children or fetuses and uses this list to designate priority chemicals that require reporting and disclosure when used in children’s products. (Passed in 2011)
● Maine LD 1034: Establishes a lead poisoning prevention fund to identify lead hazards, implement prevention measures, conduct public awareness campaigns, and provide educational materials to families with children. (Passed in 2005)
● Maine LD 2053: Requires testing of lead content in children’s products, disclosure of results to the public, and removal of products from the market when necessary. (Passed in 2008)
● Maine LD 986: Prohibits the use of lead and mercury wheel weights. (Passed in 2009)
● Maine LD 692: Requires the removal of all mercury switches from motor vehicles that are no longer operable. (Passed in 2005)
● Maine Legislative Document No. 125: Requires review of the sale of mercury-containing batteries, including mercury content in foreign-manufactured batteries, compliance of stacked button batteries with mercury limits, collection and recycling methods for button batteries, potential restrictions on button batteries in certain applications, and availability of mercury-free alternatives. (Passed in 2003)
● Maine LD 973: Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish standards for mercury-added lamps, requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to support procurement of lower-mercury lamps, and requires manufacturers of mercury-added lamps to implement recycling programs. (Passed in 2009)
● Maine Executive Order No. 12: Authorizes the DEP to submit legislation to phase out mercury batteries and improve mercury thermostat recycling. It establishes reports evaluating lead-free alternatives in consumer products and alternatives to the flame retardant DecaBDE. It emphasizes commitments to environmentally preferable purchasing, including lead-free wheel weights and uniforms that do not require perchloroethylene cleaning. It establishes a Governor’s Task Force to promote safer chemicals in consumer products. (Passed in 2006)
● Maine LD 1433: Prohibits the sale of food packaging containing intentionally added toxic heavy metals, PFAS, or phthalates. (Passed in 2019)
● Maryland HB 145: Prohibits the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2011)
● Maryland HB 62: Prohibits children’s products containing lead. (Passed in 2008)
● Maryland HB 119: Requires manufacturers to test children’s products for lead content. (Passed in 2009)
● Maryland HB 1263: Requires automobile manufacturers to establish mercury minimization plans for the removal, collection, and recycling of mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles. (Passed in 2009)
● Maryland HB 685: Requires county-level recycling programs to address the collection and recycling of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps. (Passed in 2010)
● Massachusetts S 2403: Requires sellers of mercury-containing antiques to provide written notice to purchasers that the antique contains mercury, that mercury is a hazardous substance under federal and state laws, and information regarding appropriate and commercially available disposal and recycling methods. (Passed in 2010)
● Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws, Ch. 21H, §§ 6A-6N: Prohibits mercury-added products without notification. Prohibits vehicles containing mercury-added switches, mercury-added thermostats, other mercury-added products, and mercury-added relays. Requires the removal of mercury-containing vehicle switches from end-of-life vehicles. Prohibits the purchase of elemental mercury, mercury compounds, or mercury-added teaching equipment for elementary or secondary classrooms. Requires manufacturers to disclose mercury content in writing for products used in healthcare facilities and prohibits the disposal of mercury-added products except through recycling, hazardous waste disposal, or other approved methods. Prohibits mercury-added products unless manufacturers establish convenient and accessible collection programs for end-of-life products. (Passed in 2006)
● Massachusetts S 2250: Requires Massachusetts companies using large quantities of specified toxic chemicals to evaluate and plan pollution prevention opportunities, implement such opportunities where feasible, and measure and report results annually. (Passed in 2006)
● Michigan HB 4132: Prohibits the use of lead in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2007)
● Michigan HB 4399: Prohibits the use of lead in lunch boxes. (Passed in 2007)
● Michigan SB 174: Prohibits the use of lead in toys and children’s care products. (Passed in 2007)
● Minnesota SF 2510: Prohibits the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Passed in 2010)
● Minnesota HF 2123: Establishes a list of chemicals of high concern and priority chemicals and participates in the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse. (Passed in 2009)
● Minnesota SF 1262: Prohibits the use of lead in jewelry. (Passed in 2007)
● Minnesota Stat. § 121A.33: Prohibits schools from purchasing or using elemental mercury, mercury-containing measuring instruments, and storing elemental mercury or mercury-containing measuring instruments. (Passed in 2007)
● Montana SB 424: Prohibits mercury-added thermostats. Requires manufacturers to establish and maintain programs for the collection and recycling of discarded mercury-added thermostats and conduct initial education and outreach activities. (Passed in 2009)
● Nebraska Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 28-1349-28-1350: Prohibits the sale, gift, or other distribution of liquid mercury thermometers containing elemental mercury. (Passed in 2003)
● New Hampshire SB 528: Establishes collection programs for mercury-added thermostats. Requires manufacturers of mercury-added thermostats to develop and implement department-approved collection and recycling programs for discarded mercury-added thermostats. (Passed in 2008)
● New Jersey N.J. Rev. Stat. §§ 13:1E-99.82-13:1E-99.90 (2008): Requires automobile manufacturers to establish mercury minimization plans. Requires the removal of mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles. (Passed in 2005)
● New Jersey N.J. Rev. Stat. §§ 13:1E-99.91-13:1E-99.93: Prohibits the use of mercury thermometers. (Passed in 2005)
● New Mexico SB 99: Requires dental offices to remove mercury-containing dental amalgam before wastewater discharge. (Passed in 2013)
● New York A 8687: Prohibits the use of lead and mercury in wheel weights. (Passed in 2010)
● New York A 668: Requires labeling of all mercury-added products. Prohibits the intentional disposal of mercury-added consumer products as solid waste. Prohibits mercury-added novelty products, thermometers, elemental mercury, mercury switches and relays, and mercury thermostats. Establishes a Mercury Contamination Advisory Committee. Prohibits vehicles containing mercury-added components. Allows the department to collect information from manufacturers of mercury-added products. (Passed in 2011)
● New York A 8084: Requires manufacturers to establish programs for the proper collection and recycling of mercury thermostats, provide collection containers, and maintain public websites. (Passed in 2014)
● New York Environmental Conservation Law §§ 27-2301-27-2303: Requires vehicle dismantlers to remove mercury switches or other mercury-containing equipment before end-of-life vehicles are crushed. (Passed in 2006)
● New York A 6296: Requires manufacturers of children’s products containing hazardous chemicals to notify the state and retailers; prohibits the sale of children’s products containing hazardous chemicals. (Passed in 2019)
● North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 130A-310.50-130A-310.58: Prohibits end-of-life vehicles containing accessible mercury switches from being destroyed or recycled before switch removal. Establishes mercury switch removal, collection, and recycling programs. (Passed in 2005)
● North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-47: Encourages local school boards to remove and properly dispose of bulk elemental mercury, mercury chemicals, and bulk mercury compounds. Prohibits future use of bulk elemental mercury, mercury chemicals, and bulk mercury compounds as teaching materials in science classrooms. (Passed in 2006)
● Ohio Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3734.61-3734.65: Prohibits schools from purchasing mercury or mercury-added measuring devices for classroom use. Prohibits the sale of mercury thermometers. Prohibits the sale of mercury-added novelty items. Prohibits the sale or installation of mercury-containing thermostats. (Passed in 2006)
● Oregon SB 1512: Prohibits the use of mercury in lamps exceeding certain standards and requires the state to support the procurement of lighting equipment that complies with these mercury limits. (Passed in 2012)
● Oregon SB 478 / HB 3473: Requires reporting of high-priority chemicals in children’s products and phases out these chemicals in children’s cosmetics, oral products, and products manufactured for children under three years of age. (Passed in 2015)
● Pennsylvania HB 44: Prohibits the sale of mercury thermostats and prohibits disposal as solid waste unless mercury is removed for reuse or recycling. Requires manufacturers to establish collection and recycling programs for mercury thermostats. (Passed in 2007)
● Rhode Island H 7199: Prohibits the use of mercury-containing thermostats unless manufacturers submit collection plans. Prohibits thermostat wholesalers from selling or distributing thermostats unless they act as collection points and promote and use collection containers provided by thermostat manufacturers. (Passed in 2010)
● Rhode Island H 8639: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Committee to develop a plan addressing the collection and recycling of mercury-added automobile components. (Passed in 2004)
● Rhode Island S 3209: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Committee to develop a plan addressing the collection and recycling of mercury-added automobile components. (Passed in 2004)
● South Carolina Act No. 296: Prohibits end-of-life vehicles containing mercury switches from being recycled as scrap metal. Requires automobile manufacturers to establish end-of-life vehicle solutions (ELVS) programs. (Passed in 2006)
● Tennessee HB 3218: Requires mercury-containing products to be removed from solid waste collected and disposed of through landfills or incineration. (Passed in 2010)
● Utah Utah Code Ann. §§ 9-6-1001-9-6-1006: Requires automobile manufacturers to submit mercury switch removal plans, including vehicle information, environmentally sound mercury switch removal procedures, and specific mercury switch removal methods. (Passed in 2006)
● Vermont S 239: Establishes a process for identifying chemicals of high concern; prohibits the sale or distribution of consumer products containing priority chemicals. (Passed in 2014)
● Vermont S 152: Prohibits the manufacture and sale of any children’s products containing lead. (Passed in 2008)
● Vermont S 77: Requires manufacturers to implement and fund systems for the collection and recycling of electronic devices containing lead, mercury, and other hazardous substances. (Passed in 2010)
● Vermont H 515: Prohibits the disposal of mercury-added products in solid waste landfills or incinerators. Requires contractors replacing mercury-containing thermostats in buildings to deliver them to appropriate collection locations for recycling. Requires manufacturers that have sold mercury thermostats to submit collection and financial incentive plans for mercury thermostats. Restricts the sale of mercury thermostats. (Passed in 2008)
● Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 10 §§ 7101-7115: Restricts the sale of mercury-added novelty products, thermostats, thermometers, elemental mercury, mercury switches, and relays. Requires labeling of all mercury-added products sold. Prohibits disposal of mercury-added products as solid waste. Requires vehicle recyclers to remove mercury-added vehicle switches before crushing, shredding, or other scrap metal processing. Prohibits the use of elemental mercury, mercury-containing chemicals, mercury compounds, or mercury-added measuring devices in schools. Requires dental offices to install amalgam separator systems. Requires hospitals to submit mercury reduction plans. (Passed in 2005)
● Vermont S 34: Requires manufacturers of mercury-containing lamps to implement collection and disposal programs. (Passed in 2011)
● Virginia HB 447: Requires the Virginia Waste Management Board to adopt regulations regarding mercury switches in vehicle dismantling operations. Requires persons handling motor vehicles, trailers, or semi-trailers to certify that good-faith efforts have been made to remove mercury switches before dismantling. Requires manufacturers to provide methods for storing, transporting, recycling, or disposing of mercury switches removed from vehicles they manufacture. (Passed in 2006)
● Virginia HB 326: Requires the Virginia Waste Management Board to encourage recycling of mercury-containing thermostats, cathode ray tubes, and electronic products. Allows local governments to prohibit disposal of mercury-containing thermostats or cathode ray tubes in waste-to-energy or solid waste disposal facilities. (Passed in 2010)
● Washington HB 2647: Prohibits children’s products containing lead, cadmium, and phthalates, establishes a list of chemicals of high concern, and requires disclosure of these substances in children’s products. (Passed in 2008)
● Washington HB 1033: Requires replacement of lead wheel weights with environmentally preferable alternatives. (Passed in 2009)
● Washington S 6131: Prohibits the sale or distribution of mercury-added novelty products, thermometers, thermostats, or motor vehicle switches. (Passed in 2012)
SATISFY closely monitors the latest developments regarding heavy metals in the United States and provides one-stop testing services for these harmful substances, including preliminary assessment, preparation and submission of relevant documentation, complete test monitoring, report interpretation, data analysis, and corrective action recommendations.
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