Key Less? Will A 2023 Law Lead To A Shortage Of Keys In Minnesota?

Are we on the cusp of a new shortage in Minnesota? Apparently, key makers in the state are in a bind after a 2023 law limited what type of material keys can be made from, leading to possible changes coming during the current legislative period.

The original intent of the 2023 law was to keep kids safe from dangerous metals like lead and cadmium. The law states:

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(a) A person must not import, manufacture, sell, hold for sale, or distribute or offer for use in this state any covered product containing:

(1) lead at more than 0.009 percent by total weight (90 parts per million); or

(2) cadmium at more than 0.0075 percent by total weight (75 parts per million).

(b) This section does not apply to covered products containing lead or cadmium, or both, when regulation is preempted by federal law.

This covers jewelry, puzzles, outdoor games, pots and pans, keys, key chains, cups, bowls, etc.

The problem that is starting to pop up now is the cost of other materials to make keys from. A letter from Minnesota Retailers to Minnesota lawmakers in March states with keys, "Currently, there are no commercially feasible lead-free alternatives for these other products. Because of this, retailers across the state have essentially had their entire stock of keys, pens, and mechanical pencils banned."

Currently, there is a Senate and House bill out there looking to exempt keys from the dangerous metal ban, but the legislative session only has about 6 weeks left.

Here are some of the local key-making businesses around the St. Cloud area if you are in need of new keys, before it gets possibly tougher soon.