Washington State SB 5975: A New Era of Lead Safety for Aluminum & Brass Cookware
On March 18, 2026, the Governor of Washington State signed SB 5975 into law, significantly revising the Lead Contamination Control Act for Cookware (70A.565 RCW)This legislation enacts stricter, phased lead limits for aluminum/brass cookware, utensils, and components, and imposes a ban on intentionally added lead—marking a comprehensive upgrade to safety standards. The regulation directly impacts U.S. manufacturers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, and importers (including upstream suppliers).
Regulatory Evolution: From HB 1551/SB 5628 to SB 5975
Washington State has progressively tightened lead controls for cookware in recent years, with SB 5975 serving as a critical revision to the 2024 HB 1551 and 2025 SB 5628, establishing a three-tier control system: base limits + ban on intentional lead addition + long-term gradual tightening.
- March 2024: HB 1551 passed, imposing the first lead restrictions on aluminum/brass cookware.
- May 2025: SB 5628 revised the rules, setting two-tier limits: 90 ppm (Jan 1, 2026) and 10 ppm (Jan 1, 2028) for all categories.
- March 2026: SB 5975 signed into law, adding a ban on intentional lead addition and phasing down limits for pots/pans to 20 ppm over 8 years.
Core Requirements: Scope, Limits, Lead Ban & Exemptions
1. Scope of Regulated Products
- Aluminum/Brass Cookware: Pots, pans, kettles, woks, grills, inner pots for rice cookers/pressure cookers, and similar cooking containers/surfaces.
- Aluminum/Brass Utensils & Cookware Components.
- Clear Exemptions:
- Items with only an inner aluminum/brass layer fully encased in stainless steel.
- Electrical components of electric cooking appliances and main units of devices with removable containers (e.g., slow cookers, rice cookers, pressure cookers).
2. Lead Limits & Effective Dates
| Regulation | Key Date | Lead Limit | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rules (HB 1551/SB 5628) | Jan 1, 2026 | 90 ppm | All categories |
| Old Rules (HB 1551/SB 5628) | Jan 1, 2028 | 10 ppm | All categories (removed by SB 5975) |
| New Rule (SB 5975) | Jan 1, 2026 | 90 ppm | All categories (manufactured on/after this date) |
| New Rule (SB 5975) | Jan 1, 2027 | Ban on intentional lead addition | All categories |
| New Rule (SB 5975) | Jan 1, 2030 | 50 ppm | Aluminum/brass pots, pans & components |
| New Rule (SB 5975) | Jan 1, 2034 | 20 ppm | Aluminum/brass pots, pans & components |
Note: "Intentionally added lead" refers to lead actively added during manufacturing for functional purposes, excluding unavoidable lead impurities in recycled materials.
3. Unchanged Exemptions
- Items with only an inner aluminum/brass layer fully encased in stainless steel.
- Electrical components of electric cooking appliances; main units of devices with removable cooking containers (e.g., slow cookers, rice cookers, pressure cookers).
Key Differences: Old vs. New Regulations
- New Ban on Intentional Lead Addition: Starting in 2027, lead may not be intentionally added, shifting from "limit control" to "source prohibition".
- Gradual Tightening: Limits for pots/pans phase down over 8 years (90 ppm → 50 ppm → 20 ppm), replacing the old single 10 ppm target for 2028.
- Clear Definitions: "Intentional addition" is clarified, exempting impurities in recycled materials to reduce compliance costs while closing loopholes.
- Defined Scope: Exemptions for electrical components and stainless steel-clad products are reaffirmed, reducing misinterpretation risks.
What This Means for Businesses
With SB 5975 now enacted, the U.S. has entered a new phase of lead safety control for aluminum/brass cookware: banning lead addition at the source + gradually tightening limits over time. This regulation features a long compliance timeline and stringent requirements, affecting all relevant businesses.
Whether you are a U.S. domestic enterprise or an exporter to the U.S., advance preparation is critical: meet phased targets, strengthen supply chain management, and ensure your products can enter the U.S. market smoothly without being phased out.