WAC 173-905-140

(1) Beginning January 1, 2027, battery stewardship organizations shall begin to implement an approved plan;

(2) By July 1, 2027, unless specified below, each battery stewardship organization shall fully implement its approved plan for covered portable batteries. Full implementation is when:

(a) Collection convenience standards in WAC 173-905-500 have been met;

(b) By January 1, 2028, all collection sites have received proper training, collection containers, signage and educational materials;

(c) The battery stewardship organization's website is live, providing information to producers, retailers, collection sites, and consumers about the program;

(d) A collection site locator on the battery stewardship organization's website is operational, providing collection site address, hours, phone number, website if applicable, and any special instructions or restrictions specific to the collection site; and

(e) The battery stewardship organization has paid all necessary fees to the department.

(3) By January 1, 2029, battery stewardship organizations shall fully implement an approved plan that includes the collection and management of covered medium format batteries;

(4) After July 1, 2027, additional stewardship organizations may begin implementation of approved plans between July 1st and December 31st.