Brief Description: Requiring aversive agents in antifreeze products.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Loomis, Dunshee, Simpson and Morrell).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Program promotes marketplace equity in commercial transactions through testing and inspecting of commercial devices, verifying prices, inspecting packages, providing public education, monitoring fuel quality, and investigating complaints.

Summary:

New provisions regarding engine coolant or antifreeze are added to the Weights and Measures Program.

Any engine coolant or antifreeze manufactured or distributed in the state after January 1, 2010, that contains more than 10 percent ethylene glycol must contain denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million and a maximum of 50 parts per million as an aversive agent so as to render the product unpalatable.

These requirements apply to manufacturers, packagers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of engine coolant or antifreeze, but not to those who install engine coolant or antifreeze for compensation. This does not apply to the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze, or to wholesale containers of 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze. Manufacturers must maintain a record of the trade name, scientific name, and active ingredients of any aversive agent used and make this information available to the public upon request.

A person subject to these requirements is not liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, damage to the environment or a natural resource, or economic loss that results from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in engine coolant or antifreeze.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   93   1
Senate   47   0

Effective: June 12, 2008