The bill aims to enhance consumer safety regarding aluminum and brass cookware by establishing stricter regulations on lead content. It amends existing laws to define aluminum or brass cookware and utensils, specifying that they must not contain lead or lead compounds exceeding 90 parts per million starting January 1, 2026, and 10 parts per million by January 1, 2030. The bill introduces new definitions, including "cookware testing methods," which outlines accepted testing protocols for evaluating the safety of these products. Additionally, it clarifies exemptions for previously owned items and outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers in ensuring compliance with these standards.

Key changes include the insertion of specific compliance requirements for cookware and utensils, as well as the introduction of provisions that allow the Washington State Department of Ecology to adjust lead limits after December 2030 based on feasibility and health considerations. The bill also emphasizes that cookware components with incidental lead amounts that do not exceed safety thresholds, as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are not subject to these restrictions. Overall, the legislation seeks to provide clarity and safety in the cookware market while ensuring that vulnerable populations are protected from potential health risks associated with lead exposure.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70A.565.010, 70A.02.010