Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 21h - Solid Waste Facilities
Section 6f - Exemptions From Prohibitions in Secs. 6d and 6e; Applications; Fees

Section 6F. (a) The department, at its discretion and in consultation with the executive office of economic development and the department of public health, may allow for exemptions to the prohibitions in sections 6D and 6E.
(b) Applications for exemptions shall demonstrate that:
(1) the use of the product is beneficial to the environment or protective of the public health or public safety;
(2) there is no technically feasible alternative to the use of mercury in the product;
(3) there is no comparable non-mercury-added product available at reasonable cost; and
(4) an effective system exists for the collection, transportation and processing of the mercury-added product. Such a system may include direct return of a waste product to the manufacturer, an industry or trade group-supported collection and recycling system or other similar private and public section efforts.
(c) The department shall establish application fees and a timeline for reviewing applications for exemptions that does not exceed 90 days.
(d) Before issuing an exemption, the department shall consult with neighboring states and regional organizations to promote consistency. The department shall avoid, to the extent feasible, inconsistencies in the implementation of this section.
(e) An exemption shall be valid for not more than 3 years and may be extended upon request of the applicant, at the discretion of the department.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth

Chapter 21h - Solid Waste Facilities

Section 1 - Legislative Determination and Declaration of Purpose

Section 2 - Definitions

Section 3 - Financial Assistance to Public Bodies

Section 4 - Discovery and Assessment of Solid Waste Pollution; Liability for Costs; Adjudicatory Hearings; Judicial Review

Section 5 - Testing and Control of Hazardous Emissions From Refuse Burning Facilities

Section 6 - Acid Gas Scrubbers

Section 6a - Implementation of Imerc Standards by Department

Section 6b - Notification of Mercury-Added Products Offered for Final Sale, Use or Distribution in Commonwealth

Section 6c - Restrictions on Use and Sale of Mercury-Added Vehicle Switches; Plan for Removal and Recycling of Mercury-Added Components in End-of-Life Vehicles

Section 6d - Sale of Mercury-Added Thermostats and Other Mercury-Added Products

Section 6e - Sale or Distribution of Mercury Switch or Mercury Relay; Exceptions

Section 6f - Exemptions From Prohibitions in Secs. 6d and 6e; Applications; Fees

Section 6g - Purchase of Elemental Mercury, Mercury Compounds and Mercury-Added Equipment and Materials by Schools

Section 6h - Disclosure Requirements for Mercury-Added Formulated Product Manufacturers

Section 6i - Disposal of Mercury-Added Products; Education Program; Discharge of Mercury Into Water; Scrap Recycling of Multi-Component Products Containing Mercury

Section 6j - Sale of Mercury-Added Products; Collection Plan; Mercury-Added Lamps

Section 6j1/2 - Sale of Mercury-Added Thermostats; Removal of and Delivery to Collection Site for Recycling; Annual Report

Section 6k - Labeling Requirements for Mercury-Added Products

Section 6l - Collection of Mercury-Added Products by Solid Waste Collectors

Section 6m - Preference for Purchase of Products Not Containing Mercury by State Procurement Officer, University System and Agencies

Section 6n - Rules and Regulations

Section 7 - Composting Programs