South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

Registration Update

The South Carolina registration process for electronics manufacturers is now available. Registration for TV manufacturers is required no later than October 1, 2012. Manufacturers of electronic devices other than televisions may register voluntarily.

More information -- as well as an online registration system -- is available.

Electronics Legislation

South Carolina passed legislation in 2010 that established requirements for manufacturers of covered computer devices – desktop, laptop, notebook and tablet computers as well as computer monitors and printers – effective July 1, 2011. Each of these requirements is addressed below.

Notifications are issued periodically to provide the latest program updates. More information is available.

The law defines covered computer devices to include desktop, laptop and tablet computers as well as computer monitors and printers intended for use by a consumer (Section 48-60-20).

Product Labeling

Computer manufacturers may not sell or offer to sell a covered computer device unless a label indicating the computer manufacturer’s brand is permanently affixed to the covered device in a readily visible location (Section 48-60-30).

Recovery Program

Computer manufacturers may not sell or offer to sell a covered computer device unless the computer manufacturer provides a recovery program at no cost or offers the consumer a financial incentive that has an equal or greater value than the cost. A recovery program must be as convenient to the consumer as the purchase of a covered computer device.

Recovery programs may consist of mail-back systems, collection sites, collection events or some combination of the three. The details of the recovery program must be described on a computer manufacturer’s Web site if a manufacturer maintains a Web site (Section 48-60-40).

Covered devices must be recovered in a manner that complies with all applicable federal, state and local requirements (Section 48-60-140). Additional recovery program requirements will be detailed in the regulation. View the proposed regulation.

Electronic equipment collected through manufacturer recovery programs must be recycled by a recoverer that, at a minimum, complies with the responsible recycling practices (R2/RIOS) or other comparable industry or governmental standards (Section 48-60-140). The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recognizes that recycling facilities that are (1) R2 certified or (2) designated as e-Stewards Recyclers have satisfied this requirement.

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Annual Reporting

Reporting requirements for computer manufacturers will be detailed in the regulation. View the proposed regulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

To assist manufacturers of covered computer devices in fully understanding and meeting their requirements effective July 1, 2011, DHEC provides a number of frequently asked questions and answers.

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