U.S. Washington Passed SB 5975 to Amend Lead Requirement in Cookware

Targeted audience	U.S. domestic manufacturers, distributor, retailer, wholesaler; U.S. importers and upstream suppliers
Products concerned	Aluminum or brass cookware, aluminum or brass utensils, aluminum or brass cookware component
Key industries concerned with this insight	Aluminum or brass cookware, aluminum or brass utensils, aluminum or brass cookware component
Application date	June 11, 2026
Main content or requirements	U.S. Washington passed SB 5975 to add prohibition to the intentional use of lead, gradually reduce the limit of lead in aluminum or brass pots or pans or aluminum or brass pot or pan components and clarify the scope of exemption.
Reference	Click here

On March 18, 2026, the U.S. State of Washington’s Governor signed Bill SB 5975 to amend lead requirement in cookware. 

On March 28, 2024 and May 13, 2025, Washington approved Bill HB 1551 (codified as 70A.565 RCW) and SB 5628 to restrict lead or lead compounds in aluminum or brass cookware, aluminum or brass utensils, or aluminum or brass cookware component to no more than 90 ppm from January 1, 2026 and no more than 10 ppm from January 1, 2028. 

The new bill SB 5975 adds the prohibition to the intentional use of lead within the defined scope of products from January 1, 2027 and also gradually reduces the limit of lead in aluminum or brass pots or pans or aluminum or brass pot or pan components over a period of eight years. The bill also clarifies that electrical components of electronic cooking devices are not included within the scope. 

Following is a summary of the comparison: 

Regulation	70A.565 RCW (HB 1551 & SB 5628)	SB 5975 amending 70A.565 RCW
Scope	Aluminum or brass cookware Aluminum or brass utensils Aluminum or brass cookware component	Aluminum or brass cookware Aluminum or brass utensils Aluminum or brass cookware component
Lead Limit & Effective date	90 ppm (January 1, 2026) 10 ppm (January 1, 2028)	90 ppm for items manufactured from January 1, 2026 Prohibited from January 1, 2027, if lead is intentionally added 50 ppm for aluminum or brass pots or pans, and their components, for items manufactured from January 1, 2030 20 ppm for aluminum or brass pots or pans, and their components, for items manufactured from January 1, 2034
Exemption	Items with only an internal layer of aluminum or brass that is completely enclosed by stainless steel   The body of electronic cooking devices with removable cooking containers, such as slow cookers, rice cookers, and pressure cookers	Items with only an internal layer of aluminum or brass that is enclosed by stainless steel   The electrical components of electronic cooking devices and the body of electronic cooking devices with removable cooking containers, such as slow cookers, rice cookers, and pressure cookers

Note:

"Aluminum or brass cookware" means the following items when made of brass or aluminum: (i) Pots; (ii) pans; (iii) kettles; (iv) griddles; (v) grills; (vi) internal pots for devices such as rice cookers or pressure cookers, and similar vessels or surfaces in or on which food is cooked. 

"Aluminum or brass cookware" does not include: 

1. Items with only an internal layer of aluminum or brass that is enclosed by stainless steel; or 
2. The electrical components of electronic cooking devices and body of electronic cooking devices with removable cooking containers, such as slow cookers, rice cookers, and pressure cookers. 

"Aluminum or brass pots or pans" means a type of aluminum or brass cookware specified in (i), (ii), or (vi) of "Aluminum or brass cookware" definition. 

"Intentionally added" means a chemical that serves an intended function in the final product or in the manufacturing of the product or part of the product. "Intentionally added" does not include chemicals present from the use of recycled materials.

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