Ceramic Food Contact Regulations in the UK: What Buyers of Indian Ceramic and Resin Homeware Should Know
Updated: Oct 6
Handmade serveware sells well in UK homeware stores: a blue pottery bowl, a resin and wood salad set, a painted platter. If a product will touch food, though, it falls under UK food-contact law, and the retailer who places it on the market needs to know it complies. This guide sets out the key rules for ceramics in England, what a declaration of compliance must contain, and how to handle decorative items and resin pieces. Understanding ceramic food contact regulations protects both your customers and your business.
The Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2006
These regulations (SI 2006/1179) set maximum amounts of lead and cadmium that may migrate from a ceramic article into food. Scotland has equivalent regulations (SSI 2006/230). Limits depend on the type of article:
Category 1 – flat articles (internal depth up to 25 mm): lead 0.8 mg/dm², cadmium 0.07 mg/dm².
Category 2 – all other fillable articles: lead 4.0 mg/l, cadmium 0.3 mg/l.
Category 3 – cooking ware, and packaging or storage vessels over 3 litres: lead 1.5 mg/l, cadmium 0.1 mg/l.
The written declaration of compliance
Regulation 4 requires a written declaration of compliance to accompany ceramic articles that are not yet in contact with food, through the supply chain. Under Schedule 3 it must state the identity and address of the manufacturer or importer, the identity of the article, the date of the declaration, and confirmation that the article meets the requirements. Retailers should keep this alongside the laboratory test report it relies on.
Decorative pieces: mark them clearly
Many Jaipur blue pottery items, such as wall plates, aroma burners and trinket dishes, are decorative. Good practice is to label decorative items clearly as “Not for food use” on the product and its packaging so that customers do not use them for serving. Agree this marking with your supplier at the sampling stage, so it is fired on or labelled before shipment.
Epoxy resin and wood serveware
All food-contact materials sold in Great Britain must be safe and must not change food in an unacceptable way. Resin-and-wood bowls, platters and cake stands are popular, but resin systems vary. Ask your manufacturer which resin is used, whether it is rated for food contact once cured, and for a migration test from an accredited laboratory. If a piece has not been tested, sell it as decorative and label it accordingly.
Buyer checklist for ceramic food contact regulations
Lead and cadmium migration test report for each ceramic glaze and shape, from an accredited laboratory.
A declaration of compliance with the details required by Schedule 3.
Batch or lot references, so a test can be linked to the goods you receive.
Clear “not for food use” marking on decorative items.
Resin specification and food-contact evidence for resin serveware.
As a handicraft exporter from India working with UK retailers, Kraft Bharat can arrange third-party testing and labelling as part of your order. Browse our Jaipur blue pottery catalogue or request a quote.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check current requirements with the Food Standards Agency or your local trading standards service.
Related reading
Kraft Bharat is one of the handicraft exporters in India supplying handmade products to retailers in the UK, US, Australia and UAE. Browse our catalogue or contact our export team.
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