Image: The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
By Tammie Hetrick and Alesha Shemwell
Washington State Standard, Commentary
February 24, 2026
Washington state lawmakers have a chance this session to improve on a new law that will help keep unsafe cookware and other kitchen products out of our homes and commercial kitchens.
At issue is the widely shared goal of ensuring cookware sold or used in Washington state is safe from lead contamination, which the federal government supports by actively monitoring and recalling hazardous products.
In 2024, following a handful of incidents involving cookware not readily available in the state, Washington state adopted the Cookware Containing Lead law. The new law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, sets a limit on lead content that is far stricter than what is allowed under federal standards.
But as with any new legislation, the devil is in the implementation details.
As approved, the law created a content standard for regulators like the Department of Ecology to use in evaluating the safety of cookware products. Regrettably, the legislation did not provide the necessary resources for the agency to identify and test these products. This places restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers in an awkward position when it comes to selling or using cookware products.
Currently, many manufacturers and retailers have questions about the application of this new law and how to comply.
Groups like the Washington Food Industry Association, which represents independent grocers and convenience stores, along with the Washington Retail Association, have worked with lawmakers in the interim to better help them understand the implementation challenges and enforcement issues. We believe consumers must be protected from harm without unnecessarily restricting access to necessary products.
To address industry concerns, lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 5975, a bipartisan measure that aims to correct enforcement issues and enable state agencies to effectively enforce the law.
The bill directs the Department of Ecology to adopt a standard against which products can be tested and measured. This new standard, along with other technical changes, will help manufacturers demonstrate compliance with the law.
Known as the Access to Safe Cookware Act, SB 5975 has already cleared the Senate on a 42-7 vote, and awaits further consideration by the House.
Similar legislation has been successfully implemented in other states, providing much-needed safety guidelines for consumers, along with clear regulatory and enforcement structures. SB 5975 will do the same for us in Washington state.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that safe products reach store shelves, commercial kitchens and private homes. SB 5975 will prevent the sale and use of dangerous products, just as intended by the original legislation.
