Mercury > Laws and rules

Mercury Laws, Rules, Policies, and Plans in Washington

To Reduce Mercury Use & Releases

State Law and Mercury Products    

Chapter 70.95M RCW—Mercury is Washington's main mercury law.

• Fluorescent Lamps—Labeling Requirements is at RCW 70.95M.020 and requires specific labels on lamps and packaging.
• Product preference is at RCW 70.95M.060. State government is required to purchase only low mercury or mercury-free products.
• Prohibited Sale of mercury-containing novelties, thermometers, thermostats, manometers, and automobiles with mercury switches is at RCW 70.95M.050.
• Schools—Purchase of mercury prohibited is at RCW 70.95M.040. Schools are not allowed to purchase, use, or posses elemental mercury.

In some cases, other laws and regulations restrict the release of mercury to the environment.

Washington State Mercury Policies

• The state offers voluntary collection and recycling programs for mercury containing products, elemental mercury, & mercury waste.
• Collected mercury goes to retort facilities.
• Funding is provided to local governments for mercury lamp recycling.
• Either the state or county pays for thermostat collection bins, and King County provides a rebate for recycled thermostats.
• Department of Ecology sent a letter to US EPA in 2004 highlighting the need for a national mercury repository (required by legislation passed in 2003).

Several laws and rules contribute to mercury-reduction efforts:.

Federal Pretreatment Regulation, 40 CFR part 403, requires that all non-domestic sources of wastewater which represent significant sources of loadings which could harm POTW water systems must obtain a permit and meet local limits.

The Mercury Chemical Action Plan (MCAP)  offers guidelines for the elimination of human-caused mercury in Washington.

Mercury Education and Reduction Act (MERA) banned the sale of many Mercury-containing products and set labeling requirements for mercury-containing light bulbs and linear fluorescent tubes.

The Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins Rule guides the Chemical Action Plan process.

Mercury Laws and Rules—Universal Waste Rules covers the special rules that facilitate recycling of certain mercury-containing products.

Related information

United Nations Mercury Programme from the United Nations Environment Programme

Mercury at the Environmental Protection Agency

Universal Waste Rule: WAC 173-303-573 is a technical information guide for businesses and consultants outlining the Universal Waste Rule for batteries, lamps, mercury-containing thermostats, and mercury-containing equipment.

The Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBT) Rule directs you to the actual PBT Rule.

Washington State Mercury Chemical Action Plan Download the plan here.