U.S. Washington signs a bill concerning amendments to the prohibition of metal cookware

Vol. 1477 | 29 May 2025

SB 5628 limits lead in aluminium and brass cookware to 90 ppm in 2026 and 10 ppm in 2028, effective July 27, 2025, enhancing consumer safety in Washington State.

The governor of the Washington State signed the bill SB 5628 concerning lead in cookware into law on May 13, 2025. The amendments will be effective on July 27, 2025

The bill aimed to amend the scope of the prohibition of cookware containing lead under Washington State legislation Chapter 70A.565 RCW.

Key Updates

According to the amendments, it is prohibited to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use aluminium or brass cookware, aluminium or brass utensils, or an aluminium or brass cookware component containing lead or lead compounds at a level of more than:

• 90 ppm from January 1, 2026; and
• 10 ppm from January 1, 2028.

The current prohibition is applicable to metal cookware, or a metal cookware component containing lead or lead compounds more than 5 ppm beginning January 1, 2026. 

After December, 2030, the 10 ppm limit may be lowered if the lower limit is feasible for cookware and cookware component manufacturers to achieve and necessary to protect human health.

Note:

• Aluminium or brass cookware means the following items that made of brass or aluminium: pots, pans, kettles, griddles, grills, internal pots for devices such as rice cookers or pressure cookers, and similar vessels or surfaces in or on which food is cooked
• Aluminium or brass utensils means tools made from aluminium or brass such as knives, forks, spoons, spatulas, and similar tools used for preparing, serving, or eating food, unless completely enclosed by stainless steel

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