AB 147 (Saldaña, 2009-10) - Consumer Electronics Toxics Reporting Requirement

Summary.
Authorizes DTSC to request documentation from electronics manufacturers about the amount of hazardous materials contained in the consumer electronics they offer for sale in the State.

Position and Status.
CAW Sponsored. AB 147 has passed both houses of the legislature but was vetoed by the Governor. Read the VETO message. 

Description.
Current California law prohibits hazardous materials from electronic devices with a video screen of larger than 4", and just last year the legislature enacted the Green Chemistry Initiative, which requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to regulate chemicals of concern in consumer products so they can be replaced with more benign alternatives.  This bill will enable DTSC to effectively enforce the existing hazardous materials ban and inform the Green Chemistry Initiative.

This bill gives the DTSC the authority to request documentation from electronics manufacturers detailing the amount of hazardous materials contained in their products.  Manufacturers are currently providing this information upon request in the European Union per its RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive.  Without this authority, DTSC has to do expensive product-by-product testing to determine the hazardous materials content, if any, of a consumer item sold in the state.  

CAW Staff Contact.  
Teresa Bui and Mark Murray (916) 443-5422

Current Actions.
No current actions for this bill.

Assembly Member Lori Saldaña 
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-319-2176

Current Language, Analyses and Votes.

Support: 
Californians Against Waste (Sponsor)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
AFL-CIO
Environmental Working Group
Sierra Club California
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Opposition:  
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
California Business Properties Association
California Chamber of Commerce 
California Manufacturers and Technology Association 
California Retailers Association
Consumer Electronics Association 
Industrial Environmental Association 
Information Technology Industry Council
TechAmerica 
TechNet