(a) On and after January 1, 1995, no person shall sell or offer for sale in this state any rechargeable consumer product unless the product meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The rechargeable battery is easily removable from the rechargeable consumer product or is contained in a battery pack that is easily removable from, the product.

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(2) The rechargeable consumer product and the rechargeable battery are labeled in accordance with subdivision (b).

(3) The rechargeable battery, battery pack, or rechargeable consumer product, if the product has a nonremovable rechargeable battery, has a brand name affixed to it.

(4) The instruction manual for the rechargeable consumer product includes information regarding the proper recycling or disposal of the used rechargeable battery.

(b) On and after July 1, 1994, each rechargeable battery, consumer product package containing a rechargeable battery or battery pack, and the package for each such item, which is sold or offered for sale in this state, shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Be labeled in a conspicuous manner that is visible to consumers.

(2) Include the chemical name or the standard abbreviation for the chemical composition of the battery or battery pack.

(3) Contain the following statement:

(A) On each easily removable battery or easily removable battery pack: “NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY. MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.” OR “SEALED LEAD BATTERY. MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.”

(B) On each rechargeable consumer product, granted an exemption pursuant to Section 15014, without an easily removable battery or battery pack: “CONTAINS NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY. BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.” OR “CONTAINS SEALED LEAD BATTERY. BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.”

(C) On the packaging of each rechargeable consumer product, rechargeable battery, or battery pack, unless the specified label is clearly visible through the packaging: “CONTAINS NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY. BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.” OR “CONTAINS SEALED LEAD BATTERY. BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.”

(4) The label and messages specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall use contrasting colors to differentiate the label message and background to enhance readability.

(5) No political subdivision of this state may enact or enforce any environmental labeling requirement for a rechargeable battery or battery pack, or a rechargeable consumer product, that is not identical to the labeling requirements contained in this subdivision or any regulations adopted by the board pursuant to this subdivision.

(c) The board may adopt regulations that require substantially similar labeling requirements for rechargeable batteries with chemistries that are different from those covered by subdivision (a) and the battery packs and products containing those batteries. Any regulations shall be adopted, amended, or repealed in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(d) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 816, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.)