1376-a. Sale of consumer products containing lead or cadmium. 1. In the absence of a federal standard for a specific type of product, the commissioner shall establish the maximum quantity of lead or cadmium (and the manner of testing therefor) which may be released from glazed ceramic tableware, crystal, china and other consumer products. Such maximum quantity shall be based on the best available scientific data and shall insure the safety of the public by reducing its exposure to lead and cadmium to the lowest practicable level. The commissioner may amend such maximum quantity (and the manner of testing therefor) where necessary or appropriate for the safety of the public. Until such maximum quantity of lead or cadmium established by the commissioner is effective, no glazed ceramic tableware shall be offered for sale which releases lead in excess of 7 parts per million, or cadmium in excess of .5 parts per million.
2. The commissioner is hereby empowered to order the recall of or confiscation of glazed ceramic tableware, crystal, china or other consumer products offered for sale which do not meet the standards set forth in or pursuant to this section.
3. The commissioner of health may waive the provisions of this section in whole or in part upon a finding by the commissioner in a particular instance that there is no significant threat to the public health; with respect to miniatures the commissioner shall do so, on terms and conditions he or she shall establish, upon a final judicial or administrative finding that there is no immediate public health threat in that instance.
Last modified: February 3, 2019