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USA - Washington has Enacted Legislation to Regulate Lead in Cookware
The governor of Washington state signed HB 1551 into Laws (Chapter 340) on March 28, 2024. The law is effective on June 6, 2024.
Beginning January 1, 2026:
- No
manufacturer may manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this state cookware or a cookware
component containing lead or lead compounds at a level of more than five parts per million.
- No retailer or wholesaler may
knowingly sell or knowingly offer for sale for use in this state
cookware or a cookware component containing lead or lead compounds at
a level of more than five parts per million.
After December 2034, the Washington state department of ecology, in consultation with the
department of health, may lower the above-mentioned limit if it
determines that the lower limit is:
- feasible for cookware and cookware component manufacturers to
achieve; and
- necessary to protect human health, including the health of
vulnerable populations.
According to the law:
- "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.
Source Link:
HB 1551 - Reducing lead in cookware