Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.9892
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Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This significant piece of legislation aims to safeguard public health by addressing the
critical issue of lead contamination in cookware.  It seeks to prevent the long-term effects of
prolonged lead exposure of Filipinos by regulating the lead contained in the average ke/demo
and other cookware of the sane make which is used by ordinary households every day.
Lead in cookware poses a significant health risk most especially when it leaches into
food during  cooking.  Scientific  evidence has  consistently  demonstrated the  dangers of lead
exposure  necessitating  the  regulation  and  limitation  of lead  content    in  cookware.  Lead
poisoning,evenatlowlevels,canresultinpermanentneurologicaldamage,withchildrenbeing
particularly vulnerable. The World Health Organization (WHO) has afflrmed that there is no
known safe level of lead exposure, emphasizing that any amount of lead in the body can have
harmful effects, particularly on the cognitive development of children. i
Furthermore,  lead exposure from cookware can  lead to  a range of health problems,
including  leaming  disabilities,  developmental  delays  and  behavioral  issues  in  children.  In
adults, lead exposure can result to high blood pressure, kidney damage and fertility problems.
Cookware containing lead-based glazes or coatings can serve as a significant source of lead
exposure,   especially   in   regions  with   less   stringent  regulations   or  where  traditional   or
homemade  cookware  is  commonly  used.  Studies  have  shown  that  lead  contamination  in
cookware is a global problem, impacting over 50 countries. 2
The vulnerability of children to lead exposure is a particularly concerning aspect of this
issue.  Even  low levels  of lead exposure can impair their brain development.  Moreover, the
long-term  consequences  of lead  exposure  in  childhood  are  severe,  including  reduced  IQ,
academic difficulties, and an increased risk of criminal behavior. According to the WHO, lead
I World  Health Organizat`.on,  "Lead  Poisoning," August 11,  2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-
health.
2 "Philippines Lead  (Pb)  Exposures -Status Report,"  Pure  Earth  Organizat`.on  Philippii`es, July 2023.


exposure contributes to 600,000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities each year
globally.
Beyond  the  health  implications,  lead  exposure  carries  significant  economic  costs
encompassing  healthcare  expenses,  lost  productivity,  and  increased  educational  costs  for
children with lead-related developmental issues.  The dangers of lead in cookware are well-
documented,  with  scientific  research  underscoring  the  severe  health  risks,  particularly  for
children. Legislation and regulations aimed at limiting lead content in cookware are essential
to protect public health and mitigate the enduring consequences of lead exposure.
This  bill  represents  a vital  step  in  addressing  a pressing  public  health  concern.  By
regulating lead content,  enhancing transparency through labeling,  and promoting  consumer
awareness, this legislation aims to ensure that cookware products on the market prioritize the
safety and well-being of consumers. It is a comprehensive and proactive effort to protect public
health, reflecting our commitment to a safer and healthier future.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousE BILL NO.9fig2
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR COOKWARE SAFETY LABELING
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  and  the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. Sfeor/ rzt/e. -This Act shall be referred to as the  "Cootwczrc So/edy cz#cZ
Lead Regulation Act " .
SEC. 2. Dec/crrc7rz.o77 a/Po/jc};. -It is the policy of the State to regulate, restrict or prohibit
the  importation,  manufacture,  processing,  sale,  distribution,  use  and  disposal  of chemical
substances  and  mixtures  that  present  uureasonable  risk  and  injury  to  the  health  or  the
environment. Towards this end, the  State shall ensure the protection of all against potential
health hazards and safety through special labelling of cookware.
SEC.  3.  De¢7cz./z.o72 a/ rerrms. -For purposes of this Act, the  following terms shall be
defined as follows:
(a)   £eac7 is a heavy, bluish-gray metal in granules, shot, foil, sheet or powder (physical
appearance) that is naturally occurring in the earth's crust which soft, highly malleable, ductile
and a relatively poor conductor of electricity;
(b)   £czbc/ or /czbe/z.#g refers to the display of written, printed or graphic matter on any
consumer product,  its immediate container, tag,  literature  or other suitable material affixed
thereto for the purpose of giving information as to identity components, ingredients, attributes,
directions for use,  specifications and such other information as may be required by law or
regulations;
(c)   Pczchage or pczchagz.ng refers to any container or wrapping in which any consumer
product  is  enclosed  for  use  in  the  delivery  or  display  of that  consumer  product  to  retail
purchasers; and
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(d)   Prz.73czZ}cr/  c7z.sp/cr); pcz77e/  refers  to  the  part  of the  label  that  is  most  likely  to  be
displayed, presented, shown or examined under norlnal and customary conditions of display
for retail or sale.
SEC. 4. £c}be/j.#g Jzeq#j.reme#/£'/or Cooh4;czre. -All cookware locally or internationally
manufactured that are imported, donated, distributed and sold in the Philippines shall comply
with the appropriate provisions on safety labeling and manufacturer's markings found in the
Philippine  National   Standards   (PNS)   for   the   safety   of  cookware:   Proij!.c7ecJ,   That   the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall cause the effective dissemination of the PNS in
both the traditional  form of mass media and the internet to  guide manufacturers,  retailers,
distributors and various sellers.
SEC. 5 . Ge7?erc}/ £c}b€/r.#g Jt€g#!.re"€#/S. -Except as provided in Sections 6 and 7 hereof,
any cautionary statement shall be displayed in its entirety on the principal display panel of the
product's package and on any descriptive material which accompanies the product. In the case
of bulk sales of such product when unpacked, the cautionary statement shall be displayed on
the bin or contalner used for the retail display of the product, and any vending machine from
which the unpacked product is dispensed and displayed, in English or Filipino or both written
in common language,  in conspicuous and legible type in contrast by typography, layout, or
color with  other printed  matter  on  such package,  descriptive  materials,  bin,  container and
vending machine, and in the manner consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7394,
orfuerwise lsoo:`wn as the "Consumer Act Of the Philippines" .
SEC.  6.  E#ccp/z.o#.  -  Products  manufactured  and  packaged  outside  the  country  and
directly shipped from the manufacturer to the consumer by mail or other delivery service which
do not bear the required statement provided under Section 5 hereof shall be admitted if other
accompanying material shipped with the product bears such statement.
SEC.  7.  Speci.c}/  Jtw/e£ /or  C'€r/crz.#  P¢chage£.  -A  cautionary  statement  required  by
Section 4 hereof or in lieu of display on the principal display panel of the product's package,
shall be displayed on another panel of the package if the package has a principal display panel
of fifteen  (15)  square inches or less,  and the  required  statement  is  displayed  in English or
Filipino or both written in common language, and the statement is displayed on the principal
display panel and is accompanied by an arrow or other indicator pointing towards the place on
the package where the statement required in Section 5 hereof appears.
SEC.  8.  Pe#c}//I.e£.  -Any  person who  shall  violate any provision of this Act shall  be
subject to a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (Plo,000.00) but not more than Fifty
thousand pesos (P50.000.00) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more
than two (2) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
SEC.  9. Dz.fpofcr/ o/Sez.zed A4czferjcr/£.  -Any cookware found to be in violation of the
provisions of this Act shall be confiscated and forfeited in favor of the government and shall
be  disposed  in  accordance  with pertinent laws  and  regulations:  Prow.c7ec7,  That a  sufficient
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representative sample shall be retained for evidentiary purposes. The retained representative
sample  shall  remain  in  cws'/adz.cz  /egg.a  until  the  final  resolution  of proceedings  thereon.
Equipment  and  materials  imported  in violation of this Act  shall  be  subject to  seizure  and
immediate disposal by the Bureau of Customs.
If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or
other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation,
trust, firm, partnership or association or entity.
SEC.   10.  Jt#/es  cJ77d jzegzj/cz/i.o/?s.  -The  DTI,  in  consultation  with  the  DOH,  shall
promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act. The DTI shall regularly
publish every six (6) months, the list of all manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers
who failed to comply with the requirements of this Act. Likewise, the DOH shall publish every
six (6) months, the list of all misbranded or banned hazardous substances the sale, offer for sale
and distribution of which shall not be allowed under this Act.
SEC. 11. Fw#dz.7eg. -The DTI and the DOH shall include in their respective annual budget
the amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC.12. Grczce Perz.oc7. -Manufacturers, retailers, distributors and importers are given
one (1 ) year grace period to comply with these requirements from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC.   13.  Sepc7rczbz./i.fy  C/cJ#se.  -  If  any  provision  or  pat  hereof  is  held  invalid  or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.
SEC.  14. Repecr/I.J7g C/czwse. -Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SEC.   15.  EJorecfz.vz.ty  C/crwse.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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