The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2012

Limits for lead and cadmium and declaration of compliance U.K.

[F1 10.— [F2 (1) The quantities of lead and cadmium transferred from ceramic articles must not exceed the limits set out in paragraph (4) as read with paragraphs (3) and (5).]

(2) Unless it is demonstrated that the materials used to make the ceramic article did not contain lead or cadmium, the quantities of lead and cadmium transferred from ceramic articles must be determined by means of a test, the conditions of which are specified in Schedule 2, using the method of analysis described in Schedule 3.

(3) Where a ceramic article consists of a vessel fitted with a ceramic lid, the lead or cadmium limits (or both) which may not be exceeded (mg/dm2 or mg/litre) must be that which applies to the vessel alone. The vessel alone and the inner surface of the lid must be tested separately and under the same conditions. The sum of the two lead or cadmium extraction levels thus obtained must be related as appropriate to the surface area or the volume of the vessel alone.

(4) A ceramic article is to be recognised as satisfying the requirements of these Regulations relating to such articles if the quantities of lead and/or cadmium extracted during the test carried out under the conditions laid down in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 do not exceed the following limits— Pb Cd Category 1— Articles which cannot be filled and articles which can be filled, the internal depth of which, measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, does not exceed 25 mm 0,8 mg/dm2 0,07 mg/dm2. Category 2— All other articles which can be filled 4,0 mg/l 0,3 mg/l. Category 3— Cooking ware; packaging and storage vessels having a capacity of more than three litres 1,5 mg/l 0,1 mg/l.

(5) However, where a ceramic article does not exceed the above quantities by more than 50 %, that article is nevertheless to be recognised as satisfying the requirements of these Regulations relating to such articles if at least three other articles with the same shape, dimensions, decoration and glaze are subjected to a test carried out under the conditions laid down in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 and the average quantities of lead and/or cadmium extracted from those articles do not exceed the limits set, with none of those articles exceeding those limits by more than 50 %.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 10 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/704), regs. 1, 6; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Reg. 10(1) substituted (31.12.2020 immediately after IP completion day) by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1410), regs. 1(3), 4(17)