Last Updated:	June 7, 2004
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Introduction

Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act
(Title II of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act)
Pub. L. 104-142, 110 Stat. 1329
Codified at 42 U.S.C. § 14301, et seq.
In 1996, Congress enacted the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, which was intended to facilitate the recycling or proper disposal of rechargeable batteries. The statute, among other things, applies the requirements of the federal universal waste rule ("UWR") nationwide to most rechargeable batteries and mercury-containing batteries, and preempts state laws and regulations that differ from the federal UWR for these wastes (but not for other battery types). The UWR is designed to facilitate the proper management of batteries and other widely generated or "universal" wastes, by streamlining the otherwise applicable requirements for generation, transportation, and collection of such wastes under the hazardous waste regulations issued pursuant to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") and its state counterparts. For more information on the The USA - Federal Waste Page.