SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products Emergency Regulations

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is implementing emergency regulations under Senate Bill 1215 to expand the Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program to include battery-embedded products, effective January 1, 2026. This expansion, authorized by the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, introduces a recycling fee paid by consumers at point of sale for new or refurbished battery-embedded devices, with proceeds funding the management of end-of-life electronics. The regulations will clarify the statutory definition of covered battery-embedded products, establish procedures for manufacturers and recyclers to submit payment claims, mandate approved methods for dismantling and canceling batteries to ensure safety and environmental compliance, and update net cost reporting protocols. Additional administrative updates include reinstatement and reconsideration processes for disputed claims, enhanced reporting and notification obligations for manufacturers to inform retailers of applicable fees, and the formal repeal of outdated provisions that allowed video display device manufacturers to register for take-back programs, which have seen no historical use. The program operates statewide with CalRecycle as the sole administering authority, and no commercial procurement or contracting mechanisms are involved; funding derives entirely from consumer fees rather than state appropriations or contractor payments. There are no traditional contract clauses, pricing structures, delivery schedules, or procurement instruments applicable, as this is a regulatory action authorized under state environmental law rather than a competitive acquisition. No funding identifiers, invoicing systems, contracting officers, or performance metrics typically found in federal or state procurement documents are included. Packaging, labeling, barcoding, and military standards are not regulated under this initiative, though manufacturers must comply with product notification requirements as stipulated in the Public Resources Code. Inspection and acceptance are administrative in nature, based on the validity of submitted claims and adherence to dismantling and reporting protocols rather than physical product evaluation. The regulations were exempted from full environmental review under CEQA’s Class 8 categorical exemption, and all implementation responsibilities lie with CalRecycle, with no roles assigned to private contractors or third-party vendors. The regulatory framework is designed to be self-sustaining through consumer fees and does not involve appropriations, budget line items, or financial obligations outside the CEW Recycling Program’s established funding mechanism.