Maine, USA, bans button batteries containing PBDE and mercury
The governor of Maine has signed two bills restricting the use of decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-PBDE, a flame retardant) and mercury in button batteries.
challenge:
Effective January 1, 2010, no one may manufacture, sell, supply for sale or distribute, or use in Maine television or computer products with a plastic casing containing more than 0.1% decabromodiphenyl ether.
Exempted items:
1. Second-hand products;
2. Because the recycled materials used originally contained PBDEs; or
3. Products manufactured before January 1, 2006, and replacement parts containing pentabromodiphenyl ether or octabromodiphenyl ether.
The requirements for mercury-containing button batteries are even stricter:
Effective June 30, 2011, no one may sell, supply, distribute, or provide for promotional purposes the following mercury-containing button batteries, or products containing any of the following mercury-containing button batteries:
1. Zinc-air button cell battery;
2. Alkali manganese button cell; or
3. Silver oxide button batteries with model numbers SR357, SR364, SR371, SR377, or SR395.
Furthermore, after January 1, 2015, no one may sell, offer for sale, or provide for promotional purposes mercury-containing silver oxide button batteries, or any products using such batteries.
- Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website, 2009-06-10
