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Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Sep 21, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act Title II: Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to provide information on the proper handling and disposal of used regulated batteries and rechargeable consumer products with nonremovable batteries. Defines a "regulated battery" as a rechargeable battery that contains a cadmium or lead electrode or contains other electrode chemistries and is the subject of a specified determination by the Administrator. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits enforcement actions by the Administrator against persons for selling or offering for sale or promotional purposes to the final consumer a battery or product governed by this Act that was purchased ready for final sale and sold or offered for sale or promotional purposes without modification. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements and establishes access authorities for the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations. Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Prohibits any person from selling for use in the United States a regulated battery or a rechargeable consumer product ready for retail sale and manufactured on or after 12 months after this Act's enactment date unless: (1) the battery is easily removable from the product or is sold separately; and (2) the rechargeable consumer product and the battery are labeled in accordance with this Act. Sets forth labeling requirements, including that the label contain a statement that the battery must be recycled or disposed of properly. Authorizes the Administrator, upon determining that other rechargeable batteries having electrode chemistries different from regulated batteries are toxic and may cause substantial harm if discarded for land disposal or incineration, to promulgate requirements for: (1) labeling such batteries and related products; and (2) easy removability of regulated batteries from rechargeable consumer products designed to contain such batteries. Provides for exemptions from this Act's requirements under certain conditions. Makes certain EPA regulations regarding unmanifested waste reports and waste analysis and recordkeeping inapplicable to persons collecting, storing, or transporting batteries or products regulated under this Act. Title II: Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act - Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act - Prohibits the sale or offering for sale or promotional purposes of: (1) alkaline-manganese batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1996, with a mercury content that was intentionally introduced (limits the content in alkaline-manganese button cells to 25 milligrams of mercury per button cell); (2) zinc carbon batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1996, that contain mercury that was intentionally introduced; (3) button cell mercuric-oxide batteries for use in the United States on or after January 1, 1996; and (4) any mercuric-oxide battery on or after January 1, 1996, unless the manufacturer identifies a collection site that has all required Federal, State, and local government approvals, to which persons may send such batteries for recycling or disposal and informs its purchasers of such site and of a telephone number to get information about sending such batteries for recycling or disposal. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the petition of a person that proposes a new use for a battery technology or the use of a battery described in this title in a new product, to exempt such new use or product from this title if there exist safeguards to ensure that the battery or product will not be disposed of in an incinerator, composting facility, or landfill (other than a facility regulated under subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act).
People & committees
Sen. Smith, Bob [R-NH] · R–NH
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S14100-14105)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S14100-14105)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 182.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee under the authority of the order of Aug 11, 95 with amendments. With written report No. 104-136.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee under the authority of the order of Aug 11, 95 with amendments. With written report No. 104-136.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4585-4586)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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