Partner Sheila Millar Quoted in Article on CPSC Says ‘No' to Rhinestone Exemption
Date: Jul 28, 2009
Keller and Heckman Partner Sheila A. Millar was quoted in a July 28, 2009 article on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) decision to deny a request to allow crystal rhinestones on children's clothes. The article, which appeared in The Hill, explained that the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association requested the exemption to the Consumer Products Safety Improvements Act's (CPSIA) ban of glass and crystal rhinestones on children's clothes. (For more information on CPSIA, see Product Safety Alert: Clock Starts on Product Safety Compliance Deadlines on KHLaw.com.)
Even though CPSC agreed that the rhinestones do not pose a serious health risk to children, the CPSIA does not allow the Commission to grant exceptions for products that could lead to the absorption of any lead in children. The article stated that Ms. Millar is a partner at Keller and Heckman, which represents the fashion jewelry trade group, and concluded with her response to the ruling, "There is the loss of the ‘bling' factor. … Consumers don't like it as well."