WAC 173-905-010

(1) Chapter 70A.555 RCW requires establishment of a convenient, accessible, and environmentally sound product stewardship program for all covered batteries throughout Washington state. The legislature decided that such a system will ensure the proper handling, recycling, and end-of-life management of used batteries. Managing covered batteries through product stewardship removes them from the waste stream, prevents releases of toxic materials into the environment and ensures recycling of limited resources.

(2) This chapter implements chapter 70A.555 RCW, Batteries—Environmental stewardship. This chapter establishes:

(a) Processes and procedures that the department and battery stewardship organizations use to oversee and administer the program;

(b) Fees to be paid to the department to cover the agency's full costs of providing oversight of the implementation and administration of the program and enforcing chapter 70A.555 RCW and this chapter;

(c) Requirements for producers to mark batteries with their identification, an identification of the chemistry of the battery, and an indication that batteries should not be discarded with household garbage; and

(d) Standards to ensure the safe and effective collection and handling of batteries through a stewardship program.