Lead in cookware

AN ACT Relating to lead in cookware; and amending RCW 70A.565.010 1
and 70A.565.020. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 70A.565.010 and 2024 c 340 s 1 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter 6
unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 7
(1) "Component" includes separate or distinct parts of the 8
cookware including((, but not limited to, )) accessories such as lids, 9
knobs, handles and handle assemblies, griddles and other cooktop 10
surfaces that touch food, rivets, fasteners, valves, and vent pipes. 11
"Component" does not include inaccessible components of cookware or 12
utensils.13
(2) "Cookware" means any metal pots, pans, bakeware, rice 14
cookers, pressure cookers, and other similar containers ((and devices 15
intended for the preparation or storage of food )) used to cook or 16
store food. "Cookware" does not include large appliances such as 17
refrigerators and ranges. 18
(3) "Department" means the Washington state department of 19
ecology. 20
H-0900.2
HOUSE BILL 1756
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Street, Fitzgibbon, Taylor, Berry, Scott,
Parshley, Pollet, Zahn, Ramel, Ormsby, Macri, and Reed
Read first time 01/31/25. Referred to Committee on Environment &
Energy.
p. 1 HB 1756
(4) "Inaccessible component" means a part or a component of 1
cookware that is located inside or is entirely enclosed with another 2
material and is not capable of coming out of the cookware or being 3
accessed during any reasonably foreseeable use or abuse of the 4
product.5
(5) "Manufacturer" means any person, firm, association, 6
partnership, corporation, governmental entity, organization, or joint 7
venture that produces a product or is an importer or domestic 8
distributor of a product sold or offered for sale in or into the 9
state. 10
(((5))) (6) "Utensils" means metal items that directly contact 11
food during preparation, such as knives, forks, spoons, spatulas, and 12
other such food preparation tools.13
(7) "Vulnerable populations" has the same meaning as defined in 14
RCW 70A.02.010. 15
Sec. 2. RCW 70A.565.020 and 2024 c 340 s 2 are each amended to 16
read as follows: 17
(1) ((Beginning January 1, 2026, no manufacturer may manufacture, 18
sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in 19
this state cookware or a cookware component containing lead or lead 20
compounds at a level of more than five parts per million. )) No 21
cookware, cookware component, or utensils manufactured after January 22
1, 2026, containing lead or lead compounds at a level of more than 23
five parts per million may be sold, offered for sale, distributed for 24
sale, or distributed for use in this state.25
(2)(a) Beginning January 1, 2026, no manufacturer, retailer, or 26
wholesaler may knowingly sell , manufacture, or knowingly offer for 27
sale for use in this state cookware ((or a )), cookware ((component 28
containing)) components, or utensils manufactured after January 1, 29
2026, that contain lead or lead compounds at a level of more than 30
five parts per million. 31
(b) ((Retailers)) Manufacturers, retailers, or wholesalers who 32
unknowingly sell products that are restricted from sale under this 33
chapter are not liable under this chapter. 34
(c) The sale or purchase of any previously owned cookware or 35
cookware components containing lead made in casual or isolated sales 36
as defined in RCW 82.04.040, or by a nonprofit organization, is 37
exempt from this chapter. 38
p. 2 HB 1756
(3) After December 2034, the department, in consultation with the 1
department of health, may lower the five part per million limit 2
established in subsection (1) of this section by rule if it 3
determines that the lower limit is: 4
(a) Feasible for cookware ((and)), cookware component , or 5
utensils manufacturers to achieve; and 6
(b) Necessary to protect human health, including the health of 7
vulnerable populations. 8
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p. 3 HB 1756