Washington State Will Become 8th Fluorescent Ban State

The Washington State legislature passed House Bill 1185, which will ban mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. Washington will become the 8^th state to ban most fluorescent lamps. The bill is now on its way to Governor Inslee’s desk to be signed into law, which is expected. Some key provisions of the bill include:

• Beginning January 1, 2029, a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer may not knowingly sell a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or linear fluorescent lamp (LFL) in the state, with a few exceptions.
• In-state manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers in possession of CFLs and LFLs on January 1, 2029 may exhaust their existing stock through sales to the public until July 1, 2029.
• Exceptions to the ban include special purpose mercury-containing lights, products specified in RCW 70A.230.110 (for medical equipment and research), and “casual or isolated sale” as defined in RCW 82.04.040 (“a sale made by a person who is not engaged in the business of selling the type of property involved”).
• A violation is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation in case of first violation. Repeat violators’ civil penalty is not to exceed $5,000 for each repeat violation.

The full passed legislative text can be found here.