Washington proposed bill to amend the Regulation of Lead in Cookware

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Vol. 1525 | 16 Feb 2026

SB 5975 extends Washington's cookware 10 ppm lead deadline to 2030, clarifies aluminium/ brass exemptions for electrical components and stainless steel surfaces, establishes FDA/international testing standards, and exempts pre-2026 warranty repairs.

Washington Governor proposed SB 5975 modifies the existing statutes RCW 70A.565.010 and 70A.02.010 to clarify definitions, adjust compliance deadlines, and create specific exemptions for industrial and electrical components.

Lead Content Timelines

The most significant changes in SB 5975 involve the specific parts-per-million (ppm) limits for lead and the dates by which manufacturers must comply.

  • 90 ppm limit: The bill maintains the 90 ppm lead level limit for cookware manufactured on or after 1 January 2026.
  • 10 ppm limit: SB 5975 proposed extending the 10 ppm deadline from 1 January 2028 to 1 January 2030.

Clarifying the exemption of “aluminium or brass cookware”

Under SB 5975, the exclusion of “aluminium or brass cookware” are more updated. The new version explicitly excludes the electrical components of electronic cooking devices and "large appliances" such as stoves and ranges.

The bill also add the definitions to exclude cookware with a stainless steel food contact surface that has only "de minimis" (minimal) lead content or incidental exposure of aluminium/brass parts.

Testing and Compliance Standards

The definition of “cookware testing methods” is established. Manufacturers may demonstrate compliance using testing methods accepted by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or specific international standards, such as those from the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Health Care.

Transitional measures

Aluminium or brass cookware, aluminium or brass utensils, or aluminium or brass cookware components that were manufactured on or before 31 December 2025, and are repaired or replaced under warranty on or after 1 January 2028, are exempt from the requirements

If you have any questions, please contact:

Carl Tso

Assistant Manager - Regulatory, Hardlines

Carl is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the toy and hardline industries. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in navigating global regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance across diverse markets, including the European Union, the United States, Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond.

Email: carl.tso@intertek.com

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