Overview of Rule Amendment

In October 2011 the Department of Ecology (Ecology) began the rule-making process for a new mercury lights product stewardship program. Chapter 70.275 RCW requires Ecology to establish rules to implement this program. This rule is needed to clarify product stewardship program requirements.

This rule making implements state law (RCW 70.275), passed by lawmakers in the 2010 legislative session. It will:

• Establish the responsibilities of producers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and electric utilities to safely manage mercury-containing lights sold in or into Washington State.
• Establish program requirements, such as developing a product stewardship plan, outreach and education efforts, and annual reporting requirements.
• Establish requirements for collecting, transporting, processing and recycling mercury-containing lights.
• Establish how producers will fully fund the product stewardship program.
• Include other requirements necessary to implement the program such as definitions.

Public Involvement

Ecology developed several ways to inform the public about this rule amendment to meet public involvement requirements in the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 34.05 RCW):

Web Site. Ecology regularly updates this rule development web page with information on rule activities, including how to comment on the proposed rule.

Email Notices (ListServ). Ecology created the mercury lights program product stewardship electronic mailing list (ListServ) to email information and notices to persons interested in the proposed rule amendments. Ecology encourages interested persons, including those involved with mercury lights and the public to sign up.

Public Meetings

Ecology hosted a public meeting and webinar to give an overview of the key issues related to this rule making and explain the different ways the public and stakeholders can participate in the rule-making process. This took place November 14, 2011.

Public Hearings. Ecology will conduct at least one (1) public hearing where formal comments on this rule can be submitted. Please check back on this website for more information on the date and time of the hearings.

Contact Information

For more information about the mercury lights program you may contact:
Kara Steward
(360) 407-6250
Washington State Department of Ecology
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Milestones & Timeline

WAC 173-910, Mercury-Containing Lights Product Stewardship Program	Date
CR-101 Filed: PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY	October 21, 2011
Public Meeting #1: Notice of Public Meeting Agenda Presentation Meeting Notes Documents pertinent to the meeting: Chapter 70.275 RCW FAQ sheet Mercury Lights Product Stewardship Plan Guidelines	November 14, 2011
Informal Comment Period Draft Rule Public Notice Received Comments	Feb 27 - Mar 9, 2012
CR-102 Filed: PROPOSED RULE MAKING	May 2012
Public Hearings (formal public comment period)	June 2012
Close of Formal Comment Period (7 days after last public hearing)	July 2012
CR-103 Filed: RULE-MAKING ORDER	September 2012
Effective Date of Rule	October 2012

* Note: target dates are estimates and may change