Which rules apply to cookware?

Limit 0.1 % (content basis)

equivalent of % by weight of tin in the article or part thereof

Every product in the category

In force since 2 Jul 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 2 Jul 2010

Entry 20 para 4: shall not be used after 1 July 2010 in articles above 0,1 % tin equivalent, and articles not complying shall not be placed on the market after 1 July 2010; first covered date 2010-07-02. Articles already in use in the Community before that date are excepted (para 4(b)).

Limit 0.05 % (content basis)

lead (as metal) in articles supplied to the general public or accessible parts that may be placed in the mouth by children; not applicable if lead release does not exceed 0,05 µg/cm2 per hour (and, for coated articles, for two years of use)

• Not a food-contact product
• Can be put in the mouth by children

Depends on: whether the product touches food, mouthable by children

In force since 1 Jun 2016

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 1 Jun 2016

Entry 63 para 10: para 7 does not apply to articles first placed on the market before 1 June 2016. Scope uses whether children can put the article in the mouth (article or accessible part smaller than 5 cm in one dimension, or with a detachable or protruding part of that size, para 7).

Limit 0.1 % (content basis)

% by weight of the PVC material, articles made from PVC polymers or copolymers

• Not a food-contact product
• Material: PVC

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 29 Nov 2024

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 29 Nov 2024

Paragraph 15 applies with effect from 29 November 2024 (para 16); PVC articles placed on the market until 28 November 2024 are excepted (para 20).

Limit 0.1 % (content basis)

individually or in any combination of the phthalates in column 1 (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP), % by weight of the plasticised material, in toys and childcare articles (childcare article = product intended to facilitate sleep, relaxation, hygiene, the feeding of children or sucking on the part of children)

• Children's product

Depends on: whether it is a children's product

In force since 8 Jul 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 8 Jul 2020

Paragraphs 1-2 apply to toys and childcare articles; the para 4(f) food-contact exemption applies only to para 3. The original application date (Directive 2005/84/EC) is not in the published text; 2020-07-08 is the day after the 7 July 2020 date the text gives for DIBP in para 2.

Limit 2.5 mg/kg (migration basis)

migration into food or food simulant (Annex I)

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 10 Dec 2011

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 10 Dec 2011

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: row marked M2 (Regulation (EU) No 1282/2011, OJ 10.12.2011). Applies to melamine-formaldehyde kitchenware and all plastic food contact articles.

CAS No

108-78-1

Substance name

2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine

Use as additive or polymer production aid

yes

Use as monomer or other starting substance

yes

Fat reduction factor (FRF) applicable

no

Specific migration limit (mg/kg food)

2,5

Limit 1 mg/kg (migration basis)

specific migration limit, Annex II Table 1

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 3 Sep 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 3 Sep 2020

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: Annex II is marked M15 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1245, OJ 3.9.2020); the application date of that amendment is not stated in the consolidated text, so the OJ date is used and later amendments of individual entries are not traced.

Name

Aluminium

Salts allowed (Art. 6(3)(a))

yes

Specific migration limit (mg/kg food or food simulant)

1

Limit 0.02 mg/kg (migration basis)

specific migration limit, Annex II Table 1

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 3 Sep 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 3 Sep 2020

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: Annex II is marked M15 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1245, OJ 3.9.2020); the application date of that amendment is not stated in the consolidated text, so the OJ date is used and later amendments of individual entries are not traced.

Name

Nickel

Salts allowed (Art. 6(3)(a))

no

Specific migration limit (mg/kg food or food simulant)

0,02

Limit 0.04 mg/kg (migration basis)

specific migration limit, Annex II Table 1; remark (2): SML might be exceeded at very high temperature

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 3 Sep 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 3 Sep 2020

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: Annex II is marked M15 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1245, OJ 3.9.2020); the application date of that amendment is not stated in the consolidated text, so the OJ date is used and later amendments of individual entries are not traced.

Name

Antimony

Salts allowed (Art. 6(3)(a))

no

Specific migration limit (mg/kg food or food simulant)

0,04

Remark

(2)

Limit 5 mg/kg (migration basis)

specific migration limit, Annex II Table 1

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 3 Sep 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 3 Sep 2020

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: Annex II is marked M15 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1245, OJ 3.9.2020); the application date of that amendment is not stated in the consolidated text, so the OJ date is used and later amendments of individual entries are not traced.

Name

Zinc

Salts allowed (Art. 6(3)(a))

yes

Specific migration limit (mg/kg food or food simulant)

5

Limit 0.05 mg/kg (migration basis)

sum of all lanthanide substances migrating to the food or food simulant

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) or Polycarbonate (PC) or PET or Polystyrene (PS) or ABS or Polyamide (nylon, PA) or PVC or Copolyester or Acrylic (PMMA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or Fluoropolymer (PTFE, PFA, FEP) or Other plastic (not listed) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 3 Sep 2020

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 3 Sep 2020

Entry as listed in the consolidated text (version 2026-07-14). The law text does not state the application date of later amending acts, so the date used is the one the text supports: Annex II is marked M15 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1245, OJ 3.9.2020); the application date of that amendment is not stated in the consolidated text, so the OJ date is used and later amendments of individual entries are not traced.

17 rules from Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food

Limit 0 mg/kg (migration basis)

• Food-contact product
• Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Melamine resin

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

Dates run from 1 May 2011 to 3 Sep 2020

Each rule has its own date; open a target.

Example: Arsenic (measured as As2O3) (CAS 7440-38-2)

Art. 56(4)

Must meet the conditions of Financial contributions covering separate collection, transport and treatment of waste batteries, compositional survey of mixed municipal waste, information under Art. 74 and data reporting under Art. 75

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 6(1)

Must meet the conditions of Batteries do not contain substances restricted by Annex I unless the conditions of the restriction are met

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery

In force since 18 Feb 2024

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Feb 2024

Applies from 2024-02-18 (Art. 96(2)); the provision states no other date.

Extended producer responsibility (Arts. 56 to 76)

Must meet the conditions of Extended producer responsibility: Articles 8 and 8a of Directive 2008/98/EC and Chapter VIII (collection, treatment, financing, reporting)

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 59(1)

Must meet the conditions of Separate collection of all waste portable batteries in the Member State where they are first made available, with a take-back and collection system

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery
• Battery category: Portable battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery, battery category

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 59(2)

Must meet the conditions of Take-back and collection system of collection points set up with distributors, treatment facilities, public authorities or voluntary points, covering the whole territory of the Member State

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery
• Battery category: Portable battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery, battery category

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 59(3)(a)

Must meet the conditions of Attain and maintain durably the collection target for waste portable batteries: at least 45 % (2025-08-18), calculated under Annex XI

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery
• Battery category: Portable battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery, battery category

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Target date 2023-12-31 as stated; Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 59(3)(b)

Must meet the conditions of Attain and maintain durably the collection target for waste portable batteries: at least 63 % (2027-12-31), calculated under Annex XI

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery
• Battery category: Portable battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery, battery category

Takes effect 31 Dec 2027

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 31 Dec 2027

Target date 2027-12-31 as stated; Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 59(3)(c)

Must meet the conditions of Attain and maintain durably the collection target for waste portable batteries: at least 73 % (2030-12-31), calculated under Annex XI

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery
• Battery category: Portable battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery, battery category

Takes effect 31 Dec 2030

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 31 Dec 2030

Target date 2030-12-31 as stated; Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Authorised representative for EPR (Art. 56(3))

Registration required

Appointment, by written mandate, of an authorised representative for extended producer responsibility in each Member State where batteries are sold

• Sells by distance contract to end-users in a Member State where it is not established
• Contains a battery

Depends on: distance sale to other member state, contains battery

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Art. 96(2)(c): Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025.

Producer registration (Art. 55(2)) of producers of batteries incorporated in appliances; a registration duty, not an information duty

Registration required

Register of producers of each Member State where the product with an incorporated battery is first made available (Art. 55(2): producers register before making batteries, including those incorporated in appliances, available)

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer or Distributor
• Contains a battery

Depends on: economic operator role, contains battery

In force since 18 Aug 2025

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 18 Aug 2025

Chapter VIII applies from 18 August 2025 (Art. 96(2)(c)).

Art. 11 design for removal

Must meet the conditions of Appliances are designed so that waste batteries and accumulators can be readily removed (by the end-user, or where not, by independent qualified professionals)

• Contains a battery
• Your role: Manufacturer

Depends on: contains battery, economic operator role

In force since 26 Sep 2008

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 26 Sep 2008

Member States apply the Directive by 26 September 2008 (Art. 26); Reg. 2023/1542 Art. 95(a): Art. 11 continues to apply until 18 February 2027; the last day it applies is 17 February 2027.

Art. 11 removal instructions

Disclosure to consumer

Instructions on how the incorporated batteries and accumulators can be safely removed by the end-user or by independent qualified professionals; where appropriate, the types of battery incorporated

• Contains a battery
• Your role: Manufacturer

Depends on: contains battery, economic operator role

In force since 26 Sep 2008

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 26 Sep 2008

Member States apply the Directive by 26 September 2008 (Art. 26); Reg. 2023/1542 Art. 95(a): Art. 11 continues to apply until 18 February 2027; the last day it applies is 17 February 2027.

Written declaration of compliance for ceramic articles not yet in contact with food

Declaration required

Written declaration in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, issued by the manufacturer or by a seller established within the Community, containing the Annex III information (manufacturer and importer identity and address, article identity, date, confirmation of compliance); renewed when substantial changes in production change the migration of lead and cadmium

• Food-contact product
• Material: Ceramic

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 20 May 2005

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 May 2005

Date 2005-05-20 is the date of the consolidated text that incorporates Directive 2005/31/EC; the law text gives the amending directive date (29 April 2005, OJ 30.4.2005) but no application date. Marketing stages up to and including retail.

Documentation demonstrating compliance with the lead and cadmium migration limits

Disclosure to authority

Documentation with the analysis results, test conditions and the name and address of the testing laboratory, made available by the manufacturer or importer on request

• Food-contact product
• Material: Ceramic

Depends on: whether the product touches food, materials

In force since 20 May 2005

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 May 2005

Date 2005-05-20: see declaration rule.