SG 19/23
The US state of Washington is intending to regulate lead in cookware. If approved, the law becomes effective on January 1, 2025.
In January 2023, the US state of Washington introduced HB 1551 (companion SB 5605) to restrict lead and lead compounds in cookware or its components.
According to the proposed law, ‘cookware’ and ‘component’ have the following meaning:
- ‘Cookware’ means any metal pots, pans, bakeware, rice cookers, pressure cookers and other containers and devices intended for the preparation or storage of food
- ‘Component’ includes separate or distinct parts of the cookware including, but not limited to, accessories such as lids, knobs, handles and handle assemblies, rivets, fasteners, valves and vent pipes
The proposal also directs the Department of Ecology (DoE), in consultation with the Department of Health (DoH), to lower the 5 ppm lead limit by rule if it is feasible to achieve a lower limit.
Highlights of HB 1551 are summarized in Table 1.
| Substance | Scope | Requirement | Proposed Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Cookware or cookware components | ≤ 5 ppm | January 1, 2025 |
Table 1
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