(a) Any manufacturer of, or any manufacturer trade organization with respect to, any rechargeable battery or rechargeable consumer product may submit an application to the board for an exemption from the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51013 in accordance with the procedures prescribed in subdivision (b). Within 60 days of receipt of an application for an exemption, the board shall either approve or deny the request. The exemption shall be issued for a period that is determined to be appropriate by the board, but shall not exceed two years.
(b) The application for an exemption shall include both of the following:
(1) A statement of the specified basis for the exemption.
(2) The name, business address, and telephone number of the applicant.
(c) The board shall grant the exemption if the board finds that the manufacturer has been unable to commence manufacture of the rechargeable consumer product in compliance with this chapter and with an equivalent level of product performance without causing either of the following:
(1) Danger to human health and safety or to the environment.
(2) Violation of requirements for approvals from governmental agencies or the Underwriters Laboratories or a similar widely recognized private standard-setting organization.
(d) The board may, by regulation, establish an application fee in an amount sufficient to offset the cost of processing requests for exemptions.
(e) A manufacturer or manufacturer trade organization granted an exemption may apply for an extension of the exemption in accordance with the requirements and procedures in subdivisions (b) and (c). However, in considering an extension of any exemption, the board shall evaluate whether other rechargeable consumer product manufacturers have developed technology or methods that permit access to the rechargeable battery in the same or similar type application. The board may grant up to three extensions of not more than two years each after the date of the original exemption.
(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 816, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.)