Chapter 173-339 WAC – Cosmetic Products Restrictions (Lead in Cosmetics)
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) started a rulemaking under the authority of Chapter 70A.560 RCW: Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, to identify a feasible approach to regulating lead in cosmetic products, including potentially adopting a different limit on lead impurities than the statutory limit of 1 part per million (ppm). Ecology will work with interested parties to:
- Better understand compliance challenges with the statutory limit.
- Determine the lowest feasible limit that manufacturers can achieve that is also protective of people and the environment.
We will work with Tribal representatives and other interested parties to better understand compliance challenges and determine a limit that manufacturers can achieve that is also protective of people and the environment. As we schedule opportunities to provide feedback and participate in workshops, we will share details on our webpages and via our email list.
Interim policy on lead restrictions
Ecology also issued an interim policy on lead in cosmetics to provide compliance guidance to manufacturers while we conduct the rulemaking. This interim policy gives:
- Manufacturers more time to comply with the lead restriction.
- Ecology more time to collect information.
- Manufacturers alternative paths to compliance for cosmetic products that are unable to achieve lead concentrations below 1 ppm.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Dec. 19, 2024
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
Dec. 2024 – Summer 2026Public input & involvement
Get involved in this rulemaking:
- Sign up for email announcements.
- Visit the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) webpage.
- Contact Shari Franjevic at ToxicFreeCosmetics@ecy.wa.gov or 360-338-2913.
Related links
Contact information
Shari Franjevic
TFCA Lead
ToxicFreeCosmetics@ecy.wa.gov
360-338-2913
Stay informed
Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking
Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.