Why we cannot market our amber products as baby amber teething anklets and amber teething necklaces anymore
For many years amber products have been sold throughout the world with the recommendation to use under supervision. In 2012 / 2013 all of that suddenly changed.
In the absence of an EU directive at the time to classify and test amber products, they have now been classed and tested as toys. As ‘toys’ they contain small parts and should not be chewed or played with..
According to EU Toy safety regulations, (EN-71-1) necklaces are not suitable to use as toys for children under 36 months.
Our necklaces are not toys, please do not allow your children to play with or chew on them. Our children’s jewellery must be worn under adult supervision.
In 2012 - 2013 and under a European wide investigation into amber teething products, some jurisdictions have changed the labelling requirements to “use over 36 months only”. This is because of its composition of small parts and is not because of any question over the amber itself.
In the absence of a comprehensive EU dedicated directive on this and with the new recommendations from the Irish National Consumer Agency, UK trading standards and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regarding amber necklaces (2013); Items sold as baby teething anklets, baby teething necklaces and baby teething bracelets were recalled in 2012 if sold for chewing on and marketed at babies.
Retailers had not included safety information with the items and at the point of sale. Many legitimate traders were unaware that this was a requirement as they were not for chewing or a toy, they are jewellery...
This is the reason for the warnings on our website and packaging.
For use on children over 36 months only.
What is EN71:1
As there is no test for amber jewellery, the closest trading standards could find was a test for toys.
The amber was tested to destruction by dropping a 1kg weight on it (it shattered as it is a resin) It was pulled apart and broken and it was also put into a small container.
The tests simulated chewing, swallowing the necklace and pulling/tugging by a baby.
As it consists of small parts that had shattered it was deemed unsuitable for babies as chewing it could cause it to shatter and be inhaled which presents a choking and inhalation risk.
When you see the red circle warning with 0-3 on toys that is what it means.
Any company calling these amber teething anklets or amber teething necklaces in their advertising or if they use babies in their marketing are actually in breach of regulations and they are not a UK regulated company who take safety seriously.. Beware...
All children on our advertising and website are over 3 years old as per regulations from trading standards and ASA (Advertising Standards Authority).
We have passed the UK EN71:3-2013 tests for chemicals and nasties on both our amber and any items enhanced with dyes namely agates and lapis lazuli.
All our amber and gemstones are genuine.
Our smallest child bracelet is 13cm for safety reasons.
If you have any further questions please get in touch.
See our full range of amber or gemstone jewellery for adults and children over 3 years here
Our full range of safe silicone teething necklaces, bracelets and toys can be found here.