Key elements of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 that affect product manufacturers include:

• Requirements to notify retailers concerning covered products.
• The collection of an electronic waste recycling fee at the point of retail sale of certain products.

Covered electronic devices include televisions and computer monitors that contain a cathode ray tube (CRT), laptop computers, and liquid crystal display (LCD) desktop computer monitors, plasma, LCD televisions, and portable DVD players. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) continues to test other products to determine if they should be covered by the program.

How much is the fee?

The fee varies depending on the diagonal measurement of the device’s screen. Effective January 1, 2009, it is…

• $8.00 when the screen is larger than 4 inches, but smaller than 15 inches
• $16.00 when the screen is at least 15 inches, but smaller than 35 inches
• $25.00 when the screen is 35 inches or larger

What else do I need to do?

In addition to notifying retailers and assessing a fee when conducting retail transactions, manufacturers have other responsibilities, including:

• Insuring that covered products contain a brand name or label.
• Requirements to report on sales volumes and hazardous substances used in certain electronic products sold in California.
• Providing information to consumers on recycling opportunities.