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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 5320
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Passed
Legislature - 1993 Regular Session
State
of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993
Regular Session
By
Read
first time 02/10/93.
Adopting limits on phosphorus contents in certain detergents.
AN ACT Relating to limits on phosphorus
contents in certain detergents; and adding new sections to Title 70 RCW.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.
The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Phosphorus loading of surface waters can
stimulate the growth of weeds and algae, and that such growth can have adverse
environmental, health, and aesthetic effects;
(2) Household detergents contribute to
phosphorus loading, and that a limit on detergents containing phosphorus can
significantly reduce the discharge of phosphorus into the state's surface and
ground waters;
(3) Household detergents containing no or very
low phosphorus are readily available and that over thirty percent of the United
States population lives in areas with a ban on detergents containing
phosphorus; and
(4) Phosphorus limits on household detergents
can significantly reduce treatment costs at those sewage treatment facilities
that remove phosphorus from the waste stream.
It is therefore the intent of the legislature
to impose a state-wide limit on the phosphorus content of household detergents.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section
apply throughout sections 1 through 4 of this act.
(1) "Department" means the department
of ecology.
(2) "Dishwashing detergent" means a
cleaning agent sold, used, or manufactured for the purpose of cleaning dishes,
whether by hand or by household machine.
(3) "Laundry detergent" means a
cleaning agent sold, used, or manufactured for the purpose of cleaning laundry,
whether by hand or by household machine.
(4) "Person" means an individual,
firm, association, copartnership, political subdivision, government agency,
municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity
whatsoever.
(5) "Phosphorus" means elemental
phosphorus.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.
(1) After July 1, 1994, a person may not sell or distribute for sale a laundry
detergent that contains 0.5 percent or more phosphorus by weight.
(2)
After July 1, 1994, a person may not sell or distribute for sale a dishwashing
detergent that contains 8.7 percent or more phosphorous by weight.
(3) This section does not apply to the sale or
distribution of detergents for commercial and industrial uses.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.
The department is responsible for notifying major distributors and wholesalers
of the state-wide limit on phosphorus in detergents.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.
The attorney general or appropriate city or county prosecuting attorney is
authorized to bring an appropriate action to enjoin any violation of the
provisions of section 3 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.
Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to Title 70 RCW.
