---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 14301"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "14301"
heading: "Findings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/14301"
units:
  - "Chapter 137 — Management of Rechargeable Batteries and Batteries Containing Mercury"
  - "Subchapter I — Generally"
---

# §14301. Findings


The Congress finds that—

- (1) it is in the public interest to—
  - (A) phase out the use of mercury in batteries and provide for the efficient and cost-effective collection and recycling or proper [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of used nickel cadmium batteries, small sealed lead-acid batteries, and other [regulated batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7); and
  - (B) educate the public concerning the collection, recycling, and proper [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of such batteries;
- (2) uniform national labeling requirements for [regulated batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7), [rechargeable consumer products](/usc/42/14302.md?p=6), and product packaging will significantly benefit programs for [regulated battery](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7) collection and recycling or proper [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7); and
- (3) it is in the public interest to encourage persons who use [rechargeable batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=5) to participate in collection for recycling of used nickel-cadmium, small sealed lead-acid, and other [regulated batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–142, § 2, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1329.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 104–142, § 1, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1329, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act’.”

Pub. L. 104–142, title I, § 101, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1332, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter II of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act’.”

Pub. L. 104–142, title II, § 201, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1336, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter III of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act’.”