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Prop 65 Test Requirements for Ceramic China

California's Proposition 65 requires warning labels on ceramic tableware if exposure to lead exceeds 0.5 micrograms per day; 4.1 micrograms for cadmium. Businesses with fewer than nine employees are exempt from the warning label requirements. Ceramic tableware is tested for allowed leachable lead concentrations. No such limit has been established for cadmium leaching. Ceramic tableware sold in California must display warning labels if testing determines lead leaching exceeds allowable concentration. The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorated Products provides a list of U.S. testing laboratories.

  1. Plates

    • Ceramic plates, sometimes referred to as flatware, must test 0.226 ppm (parts per million) or less of leachable lead.

    Bowls

    • Ceramic bowls, or small hollowware tableware, must test at 0.1 ppm or below. Small ceramic creamers are included in this category.

    Serving Dishes

    • Also known as large hollowware, ceramic serving dishes must test no higher than 0.1 ppm. Include large ceramic teapots and coffeepots as large hollowware items.

    Cups and Mugs

    • The allowed concentration of leachable lead in ceramic cups and mugs used for beverages is 0.1 ppm.

    Pitchers

    • This category includes large ceramic pitchers and jugs. Leachable lead concentrations may not exceed 0.1 ppm.

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