[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50569-50570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25325]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6165-2]


Notice of Certification of Alternative Battery Label

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On May 29, 1998 the Environmental Protection Agency certified 
alternative labels for nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and certain small sealed 
lead-acid rechargeable batteries, pursuant to the Mercury-Containing 
and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (Battery Act), 42 U.S.C. 
1432(c)(2)(A). The approval was in response to a May 7 and 8, 1998 
amended application from the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation 
(RBRC). In an effort to facilitate the collection and recycling of 
regulated batteries, the Battery Act prescribes national, uniform 
labels. Statutory labels for regulated Ni-Cd and lead-acid batteries 
must include three chasing arrows or a comparable recycling symbol. In 
addition, Ni-Cd batteries must be labeled ``nickel-cadmium'' or ``Ni-
Cd,'' with the phrase ``BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF 
PROPERLY.'' Regulated lead-acid batteries must be labeled ``Pb'' or 
with the words ``LEAD,'' ``RETURN,'' and ``RECYCLE'' and, if the 
regulated batteries are sealed, the phrase ``BATTERY MUST BE 
RECYCLED.'' Manufacturers may apply to the EPA Administrator for 
certification that an alternative label either conveys the same 
information as the statutory label, or conforms with a recognized 
international standard that is consistent with the overall purposes of 
the Battery Act. The newly-certified alternative labels feature the 
RBRC battery recycling seal, a designation of the appropriate battery 
chemistry, the word ``RECYCLE,'' and a contact number valid throughout 
the U.S. which consumers can call to find out how and where to recycle 
the batteries. RBRC currently runs a nationwide collection and 
recycling program for nickel-cadmium batteries, in which consumers can 
call 1-800-8-BATTERY or visit the web site at www.rbrc.com to find 
local Ni-Cd drop-off locations. The Agency believes that the 
alternative labels will help alleviate consumer confusion about what to 
do with Ni-Cd batteries once they run out of power, and so empower 
consumers with practical recycling information.

ADDRESSES: The public docket for this notice is Docket F-98-ABLN-FFFFF. 
Documents related to today's notice are available for viewing in the 
RCRA Information Center (RIC), located at Crystal Gateway I, First 
Floor, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The RIC is open 
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal 
holidays. To review docket materials, it is recommended that the public 
make an appointment by calling

[[Page 50570]]

(703) 603-9230. The public may copy a maximum of 100 pages from any 
regulatory docket at no charge. Additional copies cost $0.15/page. For 
information on accessing electronic copies of docket materials, see the 
``Supplementary Information'' section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact the 
RCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346 or TDD (800) 553-7672 (hearing 
impaired). In the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, call (703) 412-
9810 or TDD (703) 412-3323.
    For information on specific aspects of battery labeling and the 
Battery Act, contact Susan Nogas, Office of Solid Waste (5306W), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20460, (703) 308-7251, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Docket materials and other Battery Act-
related information are available in electronic format on the Internet. 
Follow these instructions to access them.

WWW: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/non-hw.htm#battery
FTP: ftp.epa.gov
Login: anonymous
Password: your Internet address
Files are located in /pub/epaoswer

    Dated: August 26, 1998.
Michael H. Shapiro,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and 
Emergency Response.
[FR Doc. 98-25325 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P