§14322 Rechargeable Consumer Products and Labeling

Summary

Companies cannot sell in the United States a rechargeable product or a regulated battery made on or after 12 months after May 13, 1996 unless the item has the required labels and, for batteries, the battery can be easily removed from the product or is sold separately. The rule does not cover remanufactured units that were not covered when first made or products made only for export. Batteries and products with non-removable batteries made on or after 1 year after May 13, 1996 must show a recycling symbol. Nickel‑cadmium batteries must show the chemical name or “Ni‑Cd” and a clear notice to recycle or properly discard the battery. Lead‑acid batteries must show “Pb” or the words LEAD, RETURN, and RECYCLE, and if sealed must show a clear notice to recycle. Products with non-removable batteries and the packaging for separately sold batteries must also carry a clear notice that the product contains the specified battery type and that the battery must be recycled or properly disposed of (unless the label is visible through the package). For 2 years after May 13, 1996, labels that mostly follow these rules are treated as compliant. Makers can ask the Administrator to approve a different label if it gives the same information or follows an accepted international standard; if the Administrator does not object within 120 days, the different label is approved. The Administrator can make similar rules later for other battery types and for easy removability, and those rules will be like these labeling rules. Once these requirements or rules take effect, no federal or state agency may enforce different removability or environmental labeling rules. A manufacturer may apply for a temporary exemption from the removability rule; the Administrator must decide within 60 days and may grant an exemption for up to 2 years, with renewal possible for another period not to exceed 2 years.