Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 70A.455 - Plastic Product Degradability.
70A.455.020 - Definitions.

RCW 70A.455.020
Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "ASTM" means the American society for testing and materials.
(2) "Biodegradable mulch film" means film plastic used as a technical tool in commercial farming applications that biodegrades in soil after being used, and:
(a) The film product fulfills plant growth and regulated metals requirements of ASTM D6400; and
(b)(i) Meets the requirements of Vincotte's "OK Biodegradable Soil" certification scheme, as that certification existed as of January 1, 2019;
(ii) At ambient temperatures and in soil, shows at least 90 percent biodegradation absolute or relative to microcrystalline cellulose in less than two years' time, tested according to ISO 17556 or ASTM 5988 standard test methods, as those test methods existed as of January 1, 2019; or
(iii) Meets the requirements of EN 17033 "plastics-biodegradable mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture" as it existed on January 1, 2019.
(3) "Department" means the department of ecology.
(4) "Federal trade commission guides" means the United States federal trade commission's guides for the use of environmental marketing claims (Part 260, commencing at section 260.1), compostability claims, including section 260.8, and degradation claims (subchapter B of chapter I of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations), as those guides existed as of January 1, 2019.
(5) "Film product" means a bag, sack, wrap, or other sheet film product.
(6) "Food service product" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.245.010.
(7) "Person" means individual, firm, association, copartnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever.
(8) "Plastic food packaging and food service products" means food packaging and food service products that is composed of:
(a) Plastic; or
(b) Fiber or paper with a plastic coating, window, component, or additive.
(9) "Plastic product" means a product made of plastic, whether alone or in combination with another material including, but not limited to, paperboard. A plastic product includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) A product or part of a product that is used, bought, or leased for use by a person for any purpose;
(b) A package or a packaging component including, but not limited to, packaging peanuts;
(c) A film product; or
(d) Plastic food packaging and food service products.
(10) "Producer" means the following person responsible for compliance under this chapter for a product sold, offered for sale, or distributed in or into this state:
(a) If the product is sold under the manufacturer's own brand or lacks identification of a brand, the producer is the person who manufactures the product;
(b) If the product is manufactured by a person other than the brand owner, the producer is the person that is the licensee of a brand or trademark under which a product is used in a commercial enterprise, sold, offered for sale, or distributed in or into this state, whether or not the trademark is registered in this state, unless the manufacturer or brand owner of the product has agreed to accept responsibility under this chapter; or
(c) If there is no person described in (a) and (b) of this subsection over whom the state can constitutionally exercise jurisdiction, the producer is the person who imports or distributes the product in or into the state.
(11) "Standard specification" means either:
(a) ASTM D6400 – standard specification labeling of plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities, as it existed as of January 1, 2019; or
(b) ASTM D6868 – standard specification for labeling of end items that incorporate plastics and polymers as coatings or additives with paper and other substrates designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities, as it existed as of January 1, 2019.
(12) "Utensil" means a product designed to be used by a consumer to facilitate the consumption of food or beverages, including knives, forks, spoons, cocktail picks, chopsticks, splash sticks, and stirrers.

[ 2022 c 180 § 802; 2019 c 265 § 2. Formerly RCW 70.360.020.]
NOTES:

Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

Findings—Intent—Scope of authority of chapter 180, Laws of 2022—2022 c 180: See notes following RCW 70A.205.007.