The Cookware and Bakeware Alliance (CBA), during its recent Mid-Year Committees in Action Update meeting, highlighted initiatives and future plans aimed at advancing industry standards, sustainability efforts and legislative engagement.
The CBA Engagement Committee announced some speakers for its fall member meeting, September 24-25, in Chicago. Speakers include attorney Tom Lee of BCLP, who advises the CBA on PFAS regulatory matters; Catalina Flores and Nick Stene of global market analytics and consumer insights specialist Euromonitor; and Vanessa Peterson of nonstick coating maker PPG.
The CBA Expertise Committee reported it is collaborating with third-party organizations to gather relevant industry statistics. The CBA Education Committee is developing an online training program for the retail industry, seeking input from retailers to tailor the program effectively.
A CBA Lead & Cadmium Subcommittee focused on ensuring product safety and compliance, is compiling data, reviewing regulatory requirements and developing best practices.
The CBA Engineering Standards Subcommittee is attempting to review and compile notes and resolutions with the goal of issuing an updated version by 2025. According to CBA, nonstick chapters are under review, and a new chapter on porcelain and ceramic bakeware is in development.
The CBA Sustainability Subcommittee aims to initiate a pilot program for the take-back and recycling of cookware and bakeware. The subcommittee reported it had a successful trial with corporate recycling program developer Close the Loop, and it is exploring further partnership options.
For the CBA PFAS Subcommittee, Lee provided an update on recent legislative changes in Maine and Colorado, as well as new laws in Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island related to PFAS in cookware. The subcommittee is also examining potential federal reporting exemptions for PFAS on cookware surfaces.
