---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 14321"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "14321"
heading: "Purpose"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/14321"
units:
  - "Chapter 137 — Management of Rechargeable Batteries and Batteries Containing Mercury"
  - "Subchapter II — Recycling of Rechargeable Batteries"
---

# §14321. Purpose


The purpose of this subchapter is to facilitate the efficient recycling or proper [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of used nickel-cadmium [rechargeable batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=5), used small sealed lead-acid [rechargeable batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=5), other [regulated batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7), and such [rechargeable batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=5) in used consumer products, by—

- (1) providing for uniform labeling requirements and streamlined regulatory requirements for [regulated battery](/usc/42/14302.md?p=7) collection programs; and
- (2) encouraging voluntary industry programs by eliminating barriers to funding the collection and recycling or proper [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of used [rechargeable batteries](/usc/42/14302.md?p=5).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–142, title I, § 102, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1332.)