The bill aims to enhance consumer safety by regulating lead content in aluminum and brass cookware, utensils, and components. It amends existing laws to define various types of cookware and introduces new restrictions on lead levels. Specifically, starting January 1, 2026, manufacturers are prohibited from producing or selling cookware with lead levels exceeding 90 parts per million, with further reductions to 50 parts per million by January 1, 2030, and 20 parts per million by January 1, 2034. The bill also clarifies that the department of ecology has the authority to exempt certain cookware from these restrictions and mandates the development of guidance for manufacturers regarding compliance and testing procedures.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new regulatory process for evaluating lead in cookware as a priority consumer product, requiring the department to assess regulatory actions by June 1, 2022, and implement rules by June 1, 2023. It emphasizes the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of cookware products, including their recyclability and potential damage over time. The department is also tasked with collecting data on lead levels from manufacturers and ensuring public access to this information, with penalties for non-compliance. Overall, the legislation seeks to provide clarity and safety in the cookware market while ensuring that vulnerable populations are protected from lead exposure.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70A.565.010, 70A.02.010
Substitute bill: 70A.565.010, 70A.02.010
Engrossed substitute: 70A.565.010, 70A.02.010
Bill as passed Legislature: 70A.565.010, 70A.02.010