SG 031/26
Malaysia restricts metals migration from ceramic cookware.
In 2020, Malaysia informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intention to include cookware into the scope of ceramic ware under its Food Regulations 1985 (the Principal Regulations, SafeGuardS 42/20).
In January 2026, Malaysia issued the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment), revising its ‘Principal Regulations’ (available in both Malay and English) under the nation’s Food Act 1983 (Act 281). This amendment updates Regulation 28 on ceramic ware and the Thirteenth Schedule in relation to the migration of lead and cadmium.
Key changes in the Amendment include:
- Introducing the term ‘cooking appliance’, defined as ceramic ware intended to be heated by conventional thermal method or microwaves (Regulation 28)
- Revising Table 1, ‘Maximum permitted proportion of lead and cadmium release’, by: a) specifying the number of identical specimens required for testing, b) detailing the criteria permitted for the release of lead and cadmium and c) expanding the number of ceramic ware product categories from three to four by including ceramic cookware (Thirteenth Schedule, see Table A below)
| Ceramicware type | Maximum permitted proportion criteria | Lead | Cadmium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large holloware¹ | All specimens ≤ maximum permitted proportion | 1.0 mg/l | 0.25 mg/l |
| Small holloware¹ | 2.0 mg/l | 0.5 mg/l | |
| Cooking ware¹ | 0.5 mg/l | 0.05 mg/l | |
| Flatware¹ | Average ≤ maximum permitted proportion (purata ≤ kadar maksimum yang dibenarkan) | 0.8 mg/dm² | 0.07 mg/dm² |
| ¹Requires four (4) identical specimens in size, shape, color and decoration for testing | |||
Table A. Table 1 ‘Maximum permitted lead and cadmium release’ as per Thirteenth Schedule of the ‘Principal Regulations’
The Amendment will become effective on August 1, 2026.
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