What counts as cookware

Cookware includes any utensil or vessel intended to prepare, heat or cook food, such as pans, pots, baking trays, pressure cookers and oven‑safe dishes. It can be made from metals, ceramics, glass, plastics, silicone, or combinations, and may also fall under electrical or gas‑appliance rules where relevant. It typically comes into direct contact with food or is exposed to high temperatures that can affect food safety.

Core obligations include:

• Determining whether the product is cookware intended        for domestic, professional, or mixed use, and identifying all materials that may contact food (for example metals, coatings, plastics, ceramics).

• Designing products to meet essential safety and food‑contact requirements, chemical safety (migration of metals, coatings), mechanical safety (stability, handles/lids) and thermal safety (burns).

• Maintaining a technical file with risk assessments, design drawings, material specifications, test reports (such as food‑contact migration tests and mechanical tests) and other relevant documentation.

• Providing clear, language‑appropriate instructions on safe use, cleaning, maintenance, and any limitations (for example induction‑compatible, oven‑safe temperature limits, dishwasher suitability).

• Applying an appropriate conformity assessment route, which may include third‑party testing by accredited laboratories to demonstrate compliance with applicable safety and food‑contact requirements.

• Issuing and retaining Declarations of Conformity or other compliance statements referencing the applicable legislation, standards/test reports, and supplying these to authorities or customers on request.

Markings and information

Cookware must bear durable, legible markings identifying the manufacturer (and importer where relevant), product designation or model, and any unique traceability code such as a batch or lot number.
Where food‑contact requirements apply, products must show either a specific food‑related symbol or wording indicating suitability for food, unless this is obvious from the nature of the product.
Safety‑critical information, including maximum temperatures, safe filling levels, compatibility with hobs or ovens, and any user restrictions (for example professional‑only pressure cookware), should accompany the product in the appropriate language of the country of sale.

How we can help

We can help businesses define whether products are regulated as food‑contact cookware, identify applicable EU and UK requirements, and select compliant materials and suppliers. Our team reviews and develops technical files, assesses migration test data and supplier documentation, advises on labelling and safe‑use instructions, and provides gap analyses, training, and horizon‑scanning support for evolving cookware and food‑contact rules.
With tailored, end‑to‑end support, CERT helps you place cookware articles on the EU and UK markets that are safe, compliant and fully supported by robust documentation and expert guidance.