This page is the cross-cut view of every regulation the Heavy Metal Index tracks, organised by jurisdiction. Brand-legal and regulatory-affairs readers comparing how different jurisdictions regulate the same metal should land here.
The page is auto-regenerated on every build from the [jurisdiction, metals, limit_value] frontmatter on each regulation page. Edits by hand are overwritten on the next prebuild — propose schema changes on Methodology instead.
Coverage matrix
How many regulation pages the index carries for each (metal, jurisdiction) cell. A blank cell means the index does not yet track any regulation for that combination — that is either a real coverage gap or an ingest backlog item.
| Metal | United States (federal) | United States — California | United States — Washington State | European Union | International (Codex / JECFA / WHO) | China | Mexico | Australia | New Zealand | Ecuador | Turkey | ASEAN | BA | BD | BR | CA | CH | CL | CO | CR | CU | DE | EAC | EAEU | FJ | GSO | GY | HK | ID | IL | IN | JP | KE | KR | LK | MA | MERCOSUR | MY | PA | PH | PK | PY | SG | TH | TT | TW | US-CO | US-CT | US-MA | US-MD | US-MN | US-NV | UY | VN | WHO | ZA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 16 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 120 | |||||
| Cadmium | 9 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 98 | |||||||||
| Inorganic arsenic | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total arsenic | 6 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 81 | ||||||||||||||
| Total mercury | 6 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 89 | ||||||||||
| Methylmercury | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inorganic mercury | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel | 3 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aluminium | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chromium | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hexavalent chromium | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tin | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Antimony | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
Regulations grouped by jurisdiction
United States (federal)
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA CPG Sec. 540.600 Fish, Shellfish, Crustaceans and other Aquatic Animals — Methyl Mercury | FDA | Methylmercury | 1 ppm methyl mercury expressed as mercury | active | 1984-11-06 |
| EPA IRIS — Cadmium Oral Reference Doses | EPA | Cadmium | 1 µg/kg-bw/day-food | in-force | 1989-10-01 |
| usa-epa-40-cfr-503-biosolids-metal-limits | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Nickel | multiple mg/kg dry weight | active | 1993-02-19 |
| EPA IRIS — Mercuric Chloride Oral Reference Dose | EPA | Inorganic mercury | 0.3 µg/kg-bw/day | in-force | 1995-05-01 |
| EPA IRIS — Methylmercury Oral Reference Dose | EPA | Methylmercury | 0.1 µg/kg-bw/day | in-force | 2001-07-27 |
| us-16cfr1500-17a13-lead-cored-candle-wicks | US Consumer Product Safety Commission | Lead | multiple percent by weight | active | 2003-01-01 |
| EPA IRIS — Lead, Oral RfD and Carcinogenicity Assessment | EPA | Lead | not-derived | qualitative-only | 2004-07-08 |
| EPA — Maximum Contaminant Level for Arsenic in Drinking Water | EPA | Inorganic arsenic | 10 ppb | in-force | 2006-01-23 |
| ATSDR — Minimal Risk Levels for Aluminum | ATSDR | Aluminium | 1 mg/kg-bw/day | in-force | 2008-09-01 |
| ASTM F963 — soluble migrated element limits (mandatory US toy standard under CPSIA §106) | ASTM International / US CPSC | Lead, Cadmium, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Cr-total, Antimony | — | active | 2009-08-14 |
| US CPSIA — lead in children’s products: 100 ppm total lead (substrate), 90 ppm (paint and surface coatings) | US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) | Lead | multiple ppm | enforced | 2011-08-14 |
| ATSDR — Minimal Risk Levels for Cadmium | ATSDR | Cadmium | 0.1 µg/kg-bw/day | in-force | 2012-09-01 |
| us-epa-2018-drinking-water-standards-health-advisories | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Aluminium | multiple mg/L | active | 2018-03-01 |
| FDA Closer to Zero — 100 ppb Inorganic Arsenic Action Level for Infant Rice Cereal | FDA | Inorganic arsenic | 100 ppb | finalized | 2020-08-06 |
| FDA Closer to Zero — Program Overview | FDA | Lead, Cadmium, Inorganic arsenic, Total mercury | — | — | 2021-04-01 |
| fda-21cfr-73-color-additive-metal-specifications | US Food and Drug Administration | Total arsenic, Lead, Total mercury, Cadmium, Cr-total, Nickel, Antimony, Tin, Aluminium | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2023-04-01 |
| fda-21cfr-74-certified-color-additive-metal-specifications | US Food and Drug Administration | Total arsenic, Lead, Total mercury, Cadmium, Cr-total | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2023-04-01 |
| FDA — 10 ppb Inorganic Arsenic Action Level for Apple Juice | FDA | Inorganic arsenic | 10 ppb | finalized | 2023-06-01 |
| us-fda-21cfr165-110-bottled-water-2024 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration | Total arsenic, Antimony, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Total mercury, Nickel, Aluminium | multiple multiple | active | 2024-04-01 |
| EPA IRIS — Inorganic Arsenic Toxicological Review (January 2025) | EPA | Inorganic arsenic | pending-extraction | finalized-2025 | 2025-01-01 |
| US FDA cosmetics heavy-metal policy — draft lead guidance (10 ppm) and the binding mercury trace rule (21 CFR 700.13, <1 ppm) | US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | Pb; tHg | multiple ppm | draft-guidance (Pb, 10 ppm, not for implementation); enforced (Hg, 21 CFR 700.13) | — |
| FDA Closer to Zero — 10 ppb Lead Action Level for Processed Baby Food (Fruits, Non-Root Vegetables, Mixtures, Yogurts, Custards/Puddings, Single-Ingredient Meats) | FDA | Lead | 10 ppb | finalized | — |
| FDA Closer to Zero — 20 ppb Lead Action Level for Dry Infant Cereals | FDA | Lead | 20 ppb | finalized | — |
| FDA Closer to Zero — 20 ppb Lead Action Level for Single-Ingredient Root Vegetables (Baby Food) | FDA | Lead | 20 ppb | finalized | — |
| FDA Juice HACCP — 50 ppb Lead Guidance Context for Juice | FDA | Lead | 50 ppb | current-guidance-context | — |
| FDA 2022 Draft — Lead Action Levels for Juice | FDA | Lead | multiple ppb | draft-not-for-implementation | — |
| FDA 2025 Lead Action Levels for Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children | FDA | Lead | — | final guidance action level | — |
United States — California
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Proposition 65 — Cadmium Listing and Maximum Allowable Daily Level | OEHHA | Cadmium | 4.1 µg/day-oral | in-force | 1997-05-01 |
| California Proposition 65 — Hexavalent Chromium Listing and Safe-Harbor Levels | OEHHA | Hexavalent chromium | 8.2 µg/day-oral-MADL | in-force | 2008-12-19 |
| california-sb929-metal-containing-jewelry | California Legislature | Lead, Cadmium | multiple percent by weight; ppm | active | 2012-01-01 |
| California Proposition 65 — Nickel Listings (Cancer; Soluble Nickel Compounds Reproductive Toxicity) | OEHHA | Nickel | listed-no-safe-harbor none | in-force | 2018-10-26 |
| California — Maximum Contaminant Level for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water | SWRCB | Hexavalent chromium | 10 ppb | in-force | 2024-10-01 |
| california-swrcb-2024-inorganic-chemical-mcls | California State Water Resources Control Board | Aluminium, Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Cr-total, Total mercury, Nickel | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2024-10-01 |
| California Prop 65 / AB 2762 — exposure-based warnings and intentionally-added mercury prohibition; no numeric heavy-metal concentration limit for cosmetics | OEHHA (Proposition 65); State of California (AB 2762, Health and Safety Code) | multiple (Prop 65: Pb, Cd, and others as exposure thresholds; AB 2762: intentionally-added Hg prohibition) | — | enforced | 2025-01-01 |
| california-dcc-2026-cannabis-heavy-metals-testing | California Department of Cannabis Control | Cadmium, Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2026-01-01 |
| California Proposition 65 — Inorganic Arsenic Compounds Listing | OEHHA | Inorganic arsenic | NSRL-pending | in-force | — |
| California Proposition 65 — Lead and Lead Compounds Listing | OEHHA | Lead | multiple ug/day | in-force | — |
United States — Washington State
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| washington-cspa-childrens-products-lead-cadmium | Washington State Legislature | Lead, Cadmium | multiple percent by weight | active | 2009-07-01 |
| washington-tfca-toothpaste-pb-1000ppb | Washington State Department of Ecology | Lead | 1000 ppb | enforced | 2025-01-01 |
European Union
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs | European Commission | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | superseded | 2002-04-05 |
| eu-directive-2002-32-animal-feed-heavy-metals | European Parliament and Council | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg (ppm) | active | 2002-05-07 |
| Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs | European Commission | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Inorganic arsenic, Tin | — | superseded | 2007-03-01 |
| EFSA — Aluminium Tolerable Weekly Intake (1 mg/kg b.w./week) | EFSA | Aluminium | 1 mg/kg-bw/week | in-force | 2008-05-22 |
| EFSA — Tolerable Weekly Intake for Cadmium, 2.5 µg/kg b.w./week | EFSA | Cadmium | 2.5 µg/kg-bw/week | in-force | 2009-01-30 |
| EFSA — Arsenic in Food (2009), No-PTWI Position | EFSA | Inorganic arsenic | BMDL01 | in-force-no-threshold | 2009-10-01 |
| EFSA — Lead in Food (2010), No-Threshold Position | EFSA | Lead | µg/kg-bw/day-BMDL | in-force-no-threshold | 2010-03-18 |
| EU Regulation 10/2011 — specific migration limits for metals (plastic food-contact, Annex II) | European Commission | Nickel, Aluminium, Antimony, Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Total arsenic, Cr-total | — | active | 2011-05-01 |
| eu-rohs-2011-heavy-metals-homogeneous-materials | European Parliament and Council | Lead, Total mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium | multiple percent by weight | active | 2011-06-08 |
| EU REACH Annex XVII entry 20 — organotin compounds in skin-contact and childcare articles | European Commission | Tin | — | active | 2012-01-01 |
| eu-reach-2011-494-cadmium-annex-xvii | European Commission | Cadmium | multiple percent by weight | active | 2012-01-10 |
| EFSA — Inorganic Mercury Tolerable Weekly Intake (4 µg/kg b.w./week) | EFSA | Inorganic mercury | 4 µg/kg-bw/week | in-force | 2012-12-01 |
| EFSA — Methylmercury Tolerable Weekly Intake (1.3 µg/kg b.w./week) | EFSA | Methylmercury | 1.3 µg/kg-bw/week | in-force | 2012-12-01 |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — prohibited-substance framework, no numeric heavy-metal maximum levels | European Parliament and Council (enforced by EU Member States) | multiple (Annex II prohibits Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Sb, Be, Cr and their compounds as ingredients) | — | enforced | 2013-07-11 |
| EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC — element migration limits (Annex II Part III) | European Commission | Lead, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Nickel, Aluminium, Tin, Antimony | — | active | 2013-07-20 |
| eu-reach-2014-301-chromium-vi-leather | European Commission | Hexavalent chromium | 3000 mg/kg | active | 2015-05-01 |
| eu-reach-2015-628-lead-mouthable-articles | European Commission | Lead | multiple percent by weight; ug/cm2 per hour release alternative | active | 2015-05-13 |
| eu-2015-1006-iAs-rice | European Commission | Inorganic arsenic | 0.2,0.25,0.3,0.1 mg/kg wet weight | superseded | 2016-01-01 |
| eu-reg-2018-73-mercury-compounds-mrls | European Commission | Total mercury | 0.01 mg/kg as mercury | finalized | 2018-02-07 |
| eu-fertilising-products-heavy-metal-limits-2019 | European Parliament and Council of the European Union | Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Total mercury, Nickel, Lead, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic | multiple mg/kg dry matter | active | 2019-07-14 |
| EFSA — Nickel Tolerable Daily Intake (13 µg/kg b.w./day) | EFSA | Nickel | 13 µg/kg-bw/day | in-force | 2020-09-24 |
| eu-reach-2018-1513-cmr-textiles | European Commission | Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Total arsenic, Lead | multiple mg/kg after extraction | active | 2020-11-01 |
| eu-2020-2184-drinking-water | European Union | Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Total mercury, Nickel, Aluminium | multiple µg/l | active | 2021-01-12 |
| EU Regulation 2021/1317 - Lead maximum level for cereals and pulses | European Commission | Lead | 0.2 mg/kg wet weight | superseded | 2021-08-30 |
| EU Regulation 2021/1323 - Cadmium maximum levels for cereals | European Commission | Cadmium | multiple mg/kg wet weight | superseded | 2021-08-31 |
| eu-reach-2020-2081-tattoo-ink-metal-limits | European Commission | Total mercury, Nickel, Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Lead | multiple percent by weight | active | 2022-01-04 |
| eu-reg-2022-617-mercury-fish | European Commission | Total mercury | 0.3,0.5,1,0.1 mg/kg ww | finalized | 2022-05-03 |
| eu-batteries-2023-heavy-metal-restrictions | European Parliament and Council | Total mercury, Cadmium, Lead | multiple percent by weight | active | 2023-08-17 |
| Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/907 on the monitoring of nickel in food | European Commission | Nickel | monitoring-recommendation none | in-force | 2024-03-22 |
| Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1987 — maximum levels of nickel in certain foodstuffs | European Commission | Nickel | 0.10–40 mg/kg | in-force | 2024-07-30 |
| eu-2025-1891-inorganic-arsenic-fish-seafood | European Commission | Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic | multiple mg/kg | active | 2025-10-08 |
| Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 cadmium maximum levels | European Commission | Cadmium | — | maximum levels | — |
| EU Regulation 2023/915 — Lead Maximum Levels for Infant and Young-Child Foods | European Commission | Lead | multiple ppb | in-force | — |
| EU Nickel Directive 94/27/EC | European Commission | Nickel | — | historical-as-described-in-source | — |
| EU inorganic arsenic maximum level for non-alcoholic rice-based drinks | European Commission | — | maximum level | — | |
| EU Regulation 2023/915 maximum levels for contaminants in food | European Commission | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic, Tin, Nickel | — | maximum levels | — |
International (Codex / JECFA / WHO)
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex CXS 193-1995 - Tin maximum levels for canned foods | Codex Alimentarius Commission | Tin | multiple mg/kg | active | 1995-01-01 |
| JECFA — Methylmercury Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (1.6 µg/kg b.w./week) | JECFA | Methylmercury | 1.6 µg/kg-bw/week | in-force | 2003-06-01 |
| JECFA — Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake for Cadmium, 25 µg/kg b.w./month | JECFA | Cadmium | 25 µg/kg-bw/month | in-force | 2010-06-01 |
| JECFA — Lead Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (Withdrawn 2010) | JECFA | Lead | µg/kg-bw/week | withdrawn | 2010-06-01 |
| Codex Alimentarius — Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Food | Codex Alimentarius Commission | Cadmium | mg/kg | partial-ingest | — |
| JECFA inorganic arsenic BMDL₀.₅ (lower-limit benchmark dose) | JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) | Inorganic arsenic | — | stub | — |
China
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| china-gb-28480-2012-adornment-harmful-elements | General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine / Standardization Administration of China | Nickel, Total arsenic, Hexavalent chromium, Total mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Antimony, Cr-total | multiple multiple | active | 2013-05-01 |
| china-gb-2762-2012-contaminants-superseded | Ministry of Health | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Tin, Nickel, Chromium | multiple mg/kg; food-specific maximum levels | superseded | 2013-06-01 |
| china-cosmetics-safety-technical-standards-2015 | China National Medical Products Administration | Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg | active | 2016-12-01 |
| china-gb-2762-2017-contaminants-superseded | National Health and Family Planning Commission; China Food and Drug Administration | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Tin, Nickel, Chromium | multiple mg/kg; food-specific maximum levels | superseded | 2017-09-17 |
| china-gb14930-1-detergent-arsenic-limits-2022 | National Health Commission and State Administration for Market Regulation | Total arsenic | multiple mg/kg | active | 2022-01-01 |
| china-gb-21027-2020-student-articles-safety | State Administration for Market Regulation / Standardization Administration of China | Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 2022-02-01 |
| china-gb-2762-2022-contaminants | National Health Commission; State Administration for Market Regulation | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Tin, Nickel, Chromium | multiple mg/kg; food-specific maximum levels | active | 2023-06-30 |
| china-pet-food-heavy-metal-limits-draft | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs | Cadmium, Cr-total, Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic | multiple mg/kg | draft-guidance | 2024-01-01 |
Mexico
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-027-SSA1-1993, Productos de la pesca: pescados frescos-refrigerados y congelados | Secretaria de Salud | Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Lead | multiple mg/kg | superseded | 1995-04-02 |
| Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-028-SSA1-1993, Productos de la pesca: pescados en conserva | Secretaria de Salud | Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Lead, Tin | multiple mg/kg | superseded | 1995-04-02 |
| Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-242-SSA1-2009, Productos de la pesca frescos, refrigerados, congelados y procesados | Secretaria de Salud | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Methylmercury, Lead, Tin | multiple mg/kg | active | 2011-05-10 |
| mexico-nom-252-ssa1-2011-toy-school-article-metals | Secretaría de Salud / COFEPRIS | Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 2012-08-13 |
| mexico-nom-186-2013-cacao-chocolate-contaminants | COFEPRIS and Secretaría de Economía | Total arsenic, Lead | multiple mg/kg | active | 2014-02-24 |
Australia
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code - Schedule 19 - Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants | Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Aluminium, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg | in-force | 2016-03-01 |
| australia-nhmrc-adwg-6-v4-drinking-water | National Health and Medical Research Council | Aluminium, Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Lead, Total mercury, Nickel | multiple mg/L | active | 2025-06-01 |
| australia-customs-prohibited-imports-heavy-metal-imports | Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Australia | Lead, Total arsenic, Antimony, Cadmium, Total mercury, Cr-total | multiple mg/kg; percent by weight | active | 2026-07-13 |
New Zealand
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code - Schedule 19 - Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants | Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Aluminium, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg | in-force | 2016-03-01 |
| new-zealand-cosmetic-products-group-standard-heavy-metals | New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority | Total arsenic, Lead, Total mercury | multiple ppm; percent | active | 2026-01-01 |
Ecuador
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ecuador-nte-inen-184-2013-canned-tuna | Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización | Total mercury | 1 mg/kg total mercury as Hg | active | 2013-01-29 |
Turkey
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| turkey-food-codex-contaminants-2023-lead-raw-milk | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | Lead | 0.02 mg/kg wet weight | in-force | 2023-11-05 |
ASEAN
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| asean-health-supplement-contaminant-limits-2017 | ASEAN Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements Product Working Group | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or mg/L; ppm | draft-guidance | 2017-01-01 |
| asean-cosmetics-contaminants-guideline-v3-2019 | ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body | Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or mg/L (ppm) | active | 2019-06-19 |
BA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bosnia-pravilnik-mdk-contaminants-2022 | Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Tin, Inorganic arsenic | multiple mg/kg vlažne mase | active | 2022-01-01 |
BD
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bangladesh-bds-1382-skin-cream-heavy-metals | Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution | Lead, Total mercury, Total arsenic | multiple ppm | active | 2019-01-01 |
BR
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| brazil-anvisa-rdc-628-2022-cosmetic-colorant-metals | ANVISA | Lead | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2022-03-11 |
| brazil-anvisa-rdc-722-2022 | Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic, Tin | multiple defined in IN 160/2022 | active | 2022-07-01 |
CA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| canada-sor-2011-17-toys-regulations | Government of Canada | Lead, Total mercury, Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg | active | 2011-01-01 |
| Health Canada — Guidance on Heavy Metal Impurities in Cosmetics: Pb 10, As 3, Cd 3, Hg 1, Sb 5 ppm | Health Canada | multiple (Pb, tAs, Cd, tHg, Sb) | multiple ppm | guidance | 2012-07-20 |
| canada-natural-health-products-heavy-metal-limits-2015 | Health Canada Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Antimony, Methylmercury | multiple ppm; daily dose values | active | 2015-05-01 |
| canada-surface-coating-materials-heavy-metals-2016 | Government of Canada / Health Canada | Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 2016-06-22 |
| canada-sor-2018-82-childrens-jewellery | Government of Canada | Lead, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg | active | 2018-11-02 |
| canada-sor-2018-83-consumer-products-lead | Government of Canada | Lead | multiple mg/kg | active | 2018-11-02 |
| canada-cfia-fertilizer-growing-media-heavy-metal-standards | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Total mercury, Nickel, Lead | multiple mg/kg wet weight | active | 2024-01-01 |
| canada-gdwq-summary-tables-2025 | Health Canada | Aluminium, Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/L | active | 2025-12-01 |
CH
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| switzerland-vhk-817-022-15-metal-metalloid-limits | Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI) | Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Cr-total, Nickel, Total mercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2017-05-01 |
CL
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| chile-decreto-977-heavy-metal-limits | Chile Ministry of Health | Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Cadmium, Tin | multiple mg/kg; mg/L; percent by weight | active | 1996-01-01 |
CO
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colombia-resolucion-4506-2013-contaminants | Ministerio de Salud y Proteccion Social | Total arsenic, Total mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Tin | multiple mg/kg; mg/L | active | 2014-04-30 |
CR
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| costa-rica-rtcr409-2008-fishery-contaminants | Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA) | Total mercury, Cadmium, Lead, Tin | multiple mg/kg | active | 2008-09-20 |
CU
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cuba-nc877-2012-wheat-flour-metal-contaminants | Oficina Nacional de Normalizacion (NC) | Lead, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg | active | 2012-05-01 |
DE
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| germany-bvl-2017-technically-avoidable-heavy-metals-cosmetics | German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Total arsenic, Antimony | multiple mg/kg | active | 2017-01-01 |
EAC
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eac-deas-425-2-2021-baby-powder-heavy-metals | East African Community | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | draft-guidance | 2021-01-01 |
| eac-deas-425-1-2023-body-face-powder-heavy-metals | East African Community | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | draft-guidance | 2023-01-01 |
EAEU
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eaeu-tr-cu-009-2011-cosmetic-toxic-elements | Customs Union Commission | Total arsenic, Total mercury, Lead | multiple mg/kg | active | 2012-07-01 |
FJ
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fiji-food-safety-regulations-2009-chemical-contaminants | Fiji Food Safety Board | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Tin, Cr-total | multiple mg/Kg; mg/l for natural mineral water | active | 2009-01-01 |
GSO
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gso-193-2021-contaminants-toxins-food-feed | GCC Standardization Organization | Lead, Cadmium, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Tin | multiple multiple | active | 2021-07-01 |
GY
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| guyana-fisheries-products-regulations-2023-environmental-contaminants | Veterinary Public Health Unit, Guyana Ministry of Health | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Total arsenic | multiple ppm and ppb | active | 2023-07-29 |
HK
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hong-kong-mercury-control-ordinance-cosmetics | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2021-12-01 |
ID
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| indonesia-bpom-16-2024-cosmetic-contaminant-limits | Indonesia BPOM | Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or mg/L (bpj/ppm) | active | 2025-09-03 |
IL
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| israel-moh-fcs-2016-heavy-metals-tin-food-guidelines | Israel Ministry of Health - National Food Service | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Tin | multiple mg/kg | active | 2016-05-01 |
| israel-imc-gmp-cannabis-heavy-metal-limits-2016 | Israel Ministry of Health Medical Cannabis Unit | Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Total arsenic | multiple ppm | active | 2016-07-01 |
IN
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| india-is-3959-2004-skin-powders | Bureau of Indian Standards | Lead, Total arsenic | multiple ppm | active | 2004-12-01 |
| india-is-6608-2004-skin-creams | Bureau of Indian Standards | Lead, Total arsenic | multiple ppm | active | 2004-12-01 |
| india-fssai-2015-chromium-gelatin-amendment | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India | Cr-total | multiple parts per million by weight | active | 2015-11-12 |
| india-fssai-2016-heavy-metals-third-amendment | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India | Lead, Total arsenic, Tin, Cadmium, Total mercury, Cr-total | multiple parts per million by weight; mg/L for natural mineral water | active | 2017-01-01 |
| india-cosmetics-rules-2020-heavy-metal-limits | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Lead, Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2020-12-15 |
| india-cosmetics-rules-2020-heavy-metals | Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, India | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury | multiple ppm; percent | active | 2020-12-15 |
JP
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| japan-mhlw-milk-products-standards | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Lead, Cadmium, Total arsenic | multiple varies | source-snapshot | 1951-12-27 |
| japan-notice-370-food-contact-heavy-metals | Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Lead, Antimony | multiple percent by weight | active | 1959-12-28 |
| japan-mhlw-foodstuffs-2008-drink-beverage-tin | Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Tin | multiple ppm | active | 2008-11-27 |
| japan-pet-food-heavy-metal-standards-2021 | Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center | Cadmium, Lead, Inorganic arsenic | multiple ug/g | active | 2021-10-01 |
KE
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kenya-ks-2937-2021-cosmetic-heavy-metals | Kenya Bureau of Standards | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 2021-01-01 |
KR
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| korea-mfds-2024-29-food-contact-heavy-metals | Republic of Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | Lead, Antimony | multiple percent by weight | active | 2024-01-01 |
| south-korea-mfds-notice-2024-9-cosmetic-trace-metals | Republic of Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | Lead, Nickel, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Antimony, Cadmium | multiple micrograms per gram | active | 2024-02-07 |
| korea-mfds-2025-63-cosmetics-safety-standards | Republic of Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | Lead, Nickel, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Antimony, Cadmium | multiple microgram/g | active | 2025-01-01 |
| korea-mfds-food-code-heavy-metals | Korea Food and Drug Administration / Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury | multiple mg/kg | source-snapshot | — |
LK
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sri-lanka-dsls-187-2025-skin-powder-heavy-metals | Sri Lanka Standards Institution | Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | draft-guidance | 2025-02-01 |
MA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| morocco-bo-7136-2022-contaminant-maximum-levels | Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests; Ministry of Health and Social Protection | Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Tin, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic | multiple mg/kg | active | 2022-10-20 |
MERCOSUR
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mercosur-gmc-res-12-2011-inorganic-contaminants | MERCOSUR Grupo Mercado Comun | Total arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg; wine rows mg/L | active | 2011-06-17 |
MY
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| malaysia-npra-cosmetics-heavy-metal-limits-2022 | Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency | Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple ppm | active | 2022-08-01 |
PA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| panama-decreto-467-2007-plant-product-heavy-metals | Ministerio de Salud de Panama | Lead, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2007-12-04 |
| panama-resolucion-368-2009-fishery-contaminants | Departamento de Proteccion de Alimentos, Ministerio de Salud | Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 2009-06-19 |
PH
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| philippines-pns-bafs-194-2017-contaminants-food-feed | Philippines Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards | Inorganic arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Methylmercury | multiple mg/kg | active | — |
PK
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pakistan-ps-3228-2017-skin-cream-heavy-metals | Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority | Lead, Total mercury | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2017-02-28 |
PY
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| paraguay-decreto-1335-2019-mercosur-inorganic-contaminants | Paraguay Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare | Total arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg; wine rows mg/L | active | 2019-02-20 |
SG
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| singapore-acd-2007-carbon-black-impurities | Singapore Health Sciences Authority | Total arsenic, Lead, Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2007-01-01 |
| singapore-hsa-2024-cosmetic-heavy-metal-advisory | Singapore Health Sciences Authority | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2024-07-01 |
| singapore-hsa-health-supplement-heavy-metal-limits-2024 | Singapore Health Sciences Authority | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury | multiple parts per million | active | 2024-11-01 |
| singapore-food-regulations-heavy-metals-2026 | Singapore Food Agency | Total arsenic, Inorganic arsenic, Lead, Total mercury, Tin, Cadmium, Antimony | multiple ppm | active | 2026-01-30 |
TH
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| asean-cosmetics-contaminants-guideline-v3-2019 | ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body | Total mercury, Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or mg/L (ppm) | active | 2019-06-19 |
| thailand-moph-notification-414-2020-contaminants-food | Thailand Ministry of Public Health | Cadmium, Tin, Lead, Methylmercury, Total mercury, Inorganic arsenic, Total arsenic | multiple mg/kg | active | 2020-11-16 |
TT
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| trinidad-tobago-food-drugs-metal-limits-2007 | Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Legal Affairs | Total arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Total mercury, Methylmercury | multiple ppm | active | — |
TW
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taiwan-feed-import-phosphate-heavy-metal-limits-2017 | Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan | Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Total mercury | multiple ppm | draft-guidance | 2017-04-27 |
| taiwan-prohibited-ingredients-2024-cosmetic-heavy-metal-residuals | Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare | Total mercury, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead | multiple ppm | active | 2025-01-01 |
US-CO
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colorado-marijuana-heavy-metal-limits-2022 | Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division | Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2022-01-01 |
US-CT
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| connecticut-pa-10-113-cadmium-childrens-jewelry | Connecticut General Assembly | Cadmium | 75000 percent by weight | active | 2014-07-01 |
US-MA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| massachusetts-cannabis-heavy-metal-protocol-2020 | Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission | Lead, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Total mercury | multiple ug/kg; ppb | active | 2020-07-24 |
US-MD
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| maryland-cannabis-heavy-metal-action-limits-2025 | Maryland Cannabis Administration | Lead, Total arsenic, Total mercury, Cadmium, Cr-total | multiple ppm | active | 2025-02-01 |
US-MN
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| minnesota-ch347-cadmium-childrens-jewelry | Minnesota Legislature | Cadmium | 75000 ppm | active | 2011-01-01 |
| minnesota-325e-3892-lead-cadmium-consumer-products | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency / Minnesota Revisor of Statutes | Lead, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2023-07-01 |
US-NV
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nevada-cannabis-heavy-metal-action-levels-2020 | Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury | multiple ppm | active | 2020-11-05 |
UY
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| uruguay-rbn-5th-edition-heavy-metal-limits | Uruguay Ministerio de Salud Publica | Antimony, Total arsenic, Lead, Tin, Total mercury, Cadmium | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | — |
VN
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vietnam-qcvn-8-2-2011-heavy-metal-food-limits | Vietnam Ministry of Health | Total arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Total mercury, Methylmercury, Tin | multiple mg/kg or stated source unit | active | 2011-08-01 |
WHO
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| who2022-drinking-water-guidelines | World Health Organization | Antimony, Total arsenic, Cadmium, Cr-total, Lead, Nickel | multiple mg/l | active | 2022-01-01 |
ZA
| Title | Agency | Metals | Limit | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| south-africa-gn-r1227-1988-cosmetic-mercury-preservatives | South Africa Minister of National Health and Population Development | Total mercury | multiple mg/kg | active | 1988-06-24 |
How to read this surface
This is a navigation index, not a substitute for reading the underlying regulations. Limits expressed in different units (mg/kg vs µg/kg-bw/week vs ppb) are not directly comparable across rows — use the limit column to confirm the basis before comparing values. Where a cell carries multiple regulations for the same metal, the most recent supersedes the older one unless both remain in force in different matrices. The timeline view shows the chronological tightening.
The wiki tracks regulatory limits as published; it does not endorse them. See wiki/HMTc separation policy for why the wiki’s reporting of regulatory values is kept architecturally separate from the Heavy Metal Tested & Certified certification program’s threshold-setting.
Update history
This page is regenerated from upstream evidence records on every build, so its version history is the history of that upstream data rather than of hand edits. The full commit record lives in git.