Sourcing Guide · By Tommy, SOQ Jewelry
Compliance is the least glamorous part of the jewelry business and the one that can hurt you most — a marketplace suspension or a customs hold costs far more than a test report. As a manufacturer that ships worldwide, I deal with these requirements every day. Here’s a plain-English map of what matters when you sell into the US and EU. (This is general guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules for your specific market and product.)
Short answer: the big ones are lead and cadmium limits, nickel release, California Prop 65 (US), and REACH (EU). The simplest way to stay safe is to source from a factory that already tests to these standards — and to keep the reports on file.
The core rules, by region
United States
- Lead & cadmium content — regulated federally (children’s products under CPSIA) and by several states with strict jewelry-specific limits.
- California Prop 65 — requires warnings for listed chemicals (including lead and cadmium). It effectively sets a national bar because so many sellers ship to California.
- Children’s jewelry — faces tighter limits and third-party testing requirements. Treat anything marketed to kids as a separate, stricter category.
European Union
- REACH — the EU’s chemical regulation; restricts lead, cadmium, and nickel in jewelry.
- Nickel Release Directive — limits how much nickel skin-contact items may release. This is where 316L stainless steel has a natural advantage.
The tests and documents you’ll actually reference
| Name | What it covers | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| REACH report | Lead, cadmium, nickel & other restricted substances | EU |
| Prop 65 | Warning for listed chemicals | US (California) |
| Nickel release test | Nickel migration on skin contact | EU + sensitive-skin claims |
| SGS / third-party report | Independent lab verification of the above | Global buyers & marketplaces |
| ISO (factory) | Quality-management systems | Supplier due diligence |
Note the difference: ISO speaks to how the factory is run, while REACH / Prop 65 / SGS reports speak to the product itself. Serious buyers want both.
Why material choice makes compliance easier
A lot of compliance risk is really material risk. Cheap alloys are where excess lead, cadmium, and free nickel show up. 316L stainless steel starts you from a safer baseline: no copper, very low nickel release, and none of the heavy-metal fillers found in bargain zinc alloys. You still test — but you’re far less likely to fail.
A simple compliance checklist for importers
- Confirm your target markets before ordering — requirements differ by region.
- Ask the factory for current REACH / SGS test reports for the exact material and plating.
- Treat children’s jewelry as a stricter category with its own testing.
- Keep documentation on file — marketplaces and customs can ask.
- Re-test when you change material, plating, or supplier.
Frequently asked questions
What certification does jewelry need to sell in the US?
There’s no single license, but you must meet lead/cadmium limits and California Prop 65. Children’s jewelry requires stricter testing. Independent (e.g. SGS) reports are how you prove it.
What is REACH and do I need it to sell in the EU?
REACH is the EU regulation restricting hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and nickel. Jewelry sold in the EU must comply, so a REACH test report is essential.
Does stainless steel jewelry pass these regulations?
316L stainless steel starts from a safe baseline — low nickel release, no copper or cheap fillers — which makes passing REACH and nickel limits straightforward. Testing still confirms each product.
Who is responsible for compliance, me or my supplier?
As the importer/seller you’re ultimately responsible in your market, so choose a supplier that tests and documents — it protects you.
Source from a factory that’s already compliant
The easiest way to stay on the right side of these rules is to start with the right material and the right paperwork. At SOQ, we manufacture 316L stainless steel jewelry with vacuum PVD plating, tested to SGS / ISO / REACH standards, so you can sell into the US and EU with confidence. OEM/ODM, MOQ from 50 pcs, ~20-day lead time, worldwide shipping.
Contact us for current test reports and compliant samples for your market.
Written by Tommy — General Manager, SOQ Jewelry (Yiwu Saiqiao Jewelry Co., Ltd.)
Tommy has 10+ years of hands-on experience in China’s jewelry manufacturing industry. He helps brands worldwide source tarnish-free stainless steel & PVD-plated jewelry with low minimums and reliable quality. Have a sourcing question? Message Tommy directly.
