Chapter 299

299.49(3)(b) (b) A manufacturer or user of a product may apply for an exemption from this section by filing a written petition with the department. The department may grant an exemption with or without conditions if it finds that the mercury-added product is reasonable and appropriate for a specific use. The department shall find that a product is reasonable and appropriate for a specific use only if a manufacturer or user establishes all of the following:

299.49(3)(b)1. 1. A system exists for the proper collection, transportation, and processing of the product at the end of its life.

299.49(3)(b)2. 2. One of the following applies:

299.49(3)(b)2.a. a. Use of the product provides a net benefit to the environment, public health, or public safety when compared to available nonmercury alternatives.

299.49(3)(b)2.b. b. Technically feasible nonmercury alternatives are not available at comparable cost.

299.49(3)(c) (c) Prior to approving an exemption, the department may consult with neighboring states to promote consistency in the regulation of mercury-added products. The department may request a person who is granted an exemption to maintain records and provide reasonable reports to the department that characterize mercury use in the products for which the exemption was granted. Exemptions may not exceed 5 years and may be renewed upon written application if the department finds that the mercury-added product continues to meet the criteria specified in par. (b) and the manufacturer or other persons comply with the conditions of its original approval. The department shall promulgate rules for processing an exemption application that provide for public participation, taking into account the role of the interstate clearinghouse under sub. (4).

299.49(4) (4) Interstate clearinghouse. The department may participate in the establishment and implementation of a regional, multistate clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the requirements of this section.

299.49 History History: 2009 a. 44.

299.50 299.50 Products containing synthetic plastic microbeads.

299.50(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

299.50(1)(a) (a) “Over-the-counter drug” means a substance or product that may be dispensed without a prescription and that contains a label which identifies the product as a drug as required by 21 CFR 201.66 and which includes a drug facts panel or a statement of the active ingredient or ingredients with a list of those ingredients contained in the compound, substance, or preparation.

299.50(1)(b) (b) “Personal care product” means any article, or a component of any article, that is intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance, except that “personal care product” does not include a prescription drug.

299.50(1)(c) (c) “Plastic” means a synthetic material made from linking monomers through a chemical reaction to create an organic polymer chain that can be molded or extruded at high heat into various solid forms that retain their defined shapes throughout their life cycle and after their disposal.

299.50(1)(d) (d) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county.

299.50(1)(e) (e) “Synthetic plastic microbead” means any intentionally added non-biodegradable, solid plastic particle measuring less than 5 millimeters at its largest dimension that is used to exfoliate or cleanse in a product that is intended to be rinsed off.

299.50(2) (2) Restrictions.

299.50(2)(a) (a) Beginning on December 31, 2017, no person may produce or manufacture a personal care product containing synthetic plastic microbeads, except for a product that is an over-the-counter drug.

299.50(2)(b) (b) Beginning on December 31, 2018, no person may do any of the following:

299.50(2)(b)1. 1. Accept for sale a personal care product containing synthetic plastic microbeads, except for a product that is an over-the-counter drug.

299.50(2)(b)2. 2. Produce or manufacture a personal care product that is an over-the-counter drug containing synthetic plastic microbeads.

299.50(2)(c) (c) Beginning on December 31, 2019, no person may accept for sale a personal care product that is an over-the-counter drug containing synthetic plastic microbeads.

299.50(3) (3) Penalty and enforcement. Any person who violates sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation. The department or any district attorney may on behalf of the state bring an action for temporary or permanent injunctive relief for any violation of this section.

299.50(4) (4) Local regulation.

299.50(4)(a) (a) A political subdivision may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution concerning the manufacture, sale, or distribution of products containing synthetic plastic microbeads.

299.50(4)(b) (b) If a political subdivision has in effect on July 3, 2015, an ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent with par. (a), the ordinance or resolution does not apply and may not be enforced.

299.50 History History: 2015 a. 43.

299.51 299.51 Medical waste management.

299.51(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

299.51(1)(a) (a) “Clinic” has the meaning given in s. 287.07 (7) (c) 1. a.

299.51(1)(am) (am) “Manifest” means a form used for identifying the quantity, composition, origin, routing and destination of medical waste during its transport and disposal.

299.51(1)(b) (b) “Medical waste” means infectious waste, as defined in s. 287.07 (7) (c) 1. c., and other waste that contains or may be mixed with infectious waste.

299.51(1)(bm) (bm) “Nursing home” has the meaning given in s. 50.01 (3).

299.51(1)(c) (c) “Solid waste disposal” has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (34).

299.51(1)(d) (d) “Solid waste facility” has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (35).

299.51(1)(e) (e) “Solid waste treatment” has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (39).

299.51(2) (2) Medical waste reduction. Except as provided under sub. (3) (am), every clinic, nursing home and hospital shall implement a policy for the reduction of the amount of medical waste generated as required by the department by rule.

299.51(3) (3) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules that do all of the following:

299.51(3)(a) (a) Establish requirements for medical waste reduction by hospitals.

299.51(3)(am) (am) Exempt types of generators of medical waste that generate less than 50 pounds of medical waste per month from the requirement under sub. (2).

299.51(3)(b) (b) Establish requirements for packaging, handling, shipping and transporting medical waste.

299.51(3)(c) (c) Require a license for persons who transport medical waste and impose a fee for that license, except that the department may not impose a fee on an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44.

299.51(3)(d) (d) Require the use of manifests to monitor the transport and disposal of medical waste.

299.51(4) (4) Prohibitions.

299.51(4)(a) (a) No person may transport medical waste without a license issued by the department under sub. (3) (c).

299.51(4)(b) (b) No person may dispose of medical waste in a facility for solid waste disposal unless the medical waste has undergone solid waste treatment.

299.51(5) (5) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (4) (b) may be required to forfeit not more than $25,000. Each act of disposal in violation of sub. (4) (b) constitutes a separate offense.

299.51 History History: 1991 a. 39, 300; 1995 a. 227 s. 643; Stats. 1995 s. 299.51; 2011 a. 209.

299.53 299.53 Used oil fuel.

299.53(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

299.53(1)(a) (a) “Used oil” means any petroleum-derived or synthetic oil which, as a result of use or management, is contaminated. “Used oil” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

299.53(1)(a)1. 1. Engine, turbine and gear lubricants.

299.53(1)(a)2. 2. Hydraulic fluid, including transmission fluid.

299.53(1)(a)3. 3. Metalworking fluid, including cutting, grinding, machining, rolling, stamping, quenching and coating oils.

299.53(1)(a)4. 4. Insulating fluid or coolant.

299.53(1)(b) (b) “Used oil fuel” means any fuel designated by the department by rule that contains used oil or is produced from used oil or from a combination of used oil and other material.

299.53(2) (2) Notification.

299.53(2)(a) (a) A person who does any of the following shall notify the department of the location and description of each facility used and the description of the used oil fuel:

299.53(2)(a)1. 1. Owns or operates a facility that produces used oil fuel or a facility that recovers energy by burning used oil fuel.

299.53(2)(a)2. 2. Distributes or markets used oil fuel.

299.53(2)(b) (b) The department may by rule exempt specific persons or facilities from the requirements of par. (a).

299.53(3) (3) Inspections and right of entry. Upon the request of any officer or employee of the department and with notice provided no later than upon the officer’s or employee’s arrival, any person subject to sub. (2) (a) shall permit the officer or employee access to vehicles, premises and records relating to used oil fuel at any reasonable time. An officer or employee of the department may take samples of any used oil fuel. The officer or employee shall commence and complete inspections with reasonable promptness. The officer or employee shall give the person a receipt for each sample taken and, upon request, half of the sample. The department shall promptly furnish the person with a copy of the results of the analysis of each sample and a copy of the inspection report.

299.53(4) (4) Enforcement; penalties.

299.53(4)(a) (a) Compliance orders. If the department determines that any person is in violation of sub. (2) (a) or (3) or any rule promulgated under this section, the department may do one or more of the following:

299.53(4)(a)1. 1. Give the person written notice of the violation.

299.53(4)(a)2. 2. Issue a special order requiring compliance within a specified time period.

299.53(4)(a)3. 3. Refer the matter to the department of justice for enforcement under s. 299.95.

299.53(4)(b) (b) Department of justice action; disposition. The department of justice may initiate the legal action requested by the department under par. (a) 3. after receipt of the written request. In any action commenced by it under this paragraph, the department of justice shall, prior to stipulation, consent order, judgment or other final disposition of the case, consult with the department for the purpose of determining the department’s views on final disposition. The department of justice may not enter into a final disposition different than that previously discussed without first informing the department.

299.53(4)(c) (c) Penalties.

299.53(4)(c)1. 1. Any person who violates sub. (2) (a) or (3) or any rule promulgated or special order issued under this section shall forfeit not more than $25,000 for each violation.

299.53(4)(c)2. 2. Any person who intentionally makes any false statement or representation in complying with sub. (2) (a) shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both. For a 2nd or subsequent violation, the person is guilty of a Class I felony, except that, notwithstanding the maximum fine specified in s. 939.50 (3) (i), the person may be fined not more than $50,000.

299.53(4)(d) (d) Venue. Any action on a violation shall be commenced in the circuit court for the county in which the violation occurred. If all parties stipulate and the circuit court for Dane County agrees, the proceedings may be transferred to the circuit court for Dane County.

299.53 History History: 1987 a. 384; 1995 a. 227 s. 644; Stats. 1995 s. 299.53; 1997 a. 283; 2001 a. 109.

299.55 299.55 Confidentiality of records; used oil collection facilities and used oil fuel facilities.

299.55(1) (1) Records. Except as provided under sub. (2), records and other information furnished to or obtained by the department in the administration of ss. 287.15 and 299.53 are public records subject to s. 19.21. 

299.55(2) (2) Confidential records.

299.55(2)(a) (a) Application. Any person subject to s. 287.15 or 299.53 may seek confidential treatment of any records or other information furnished to or obtained by the department in the administration of s. 287.15 or 299.53.

299.55(2)(b) (b) Standards for granting confidential status. Except as provided under par. (c), the department shall grant confidential status for any records or information received by the department and certified by the applicant as relating to production or sales figures or to processes or production unique to the applicant or which would tend to adversely affect the competitive position of the applicant if made public.

299.55(2)(c) (c) Emission data; analyses and summaries. The department may not grant confidential status for emission data. Nothing in this subsection prevents the department from using records and other information in compiling or publishing analyses or summaries relating to the general condition of the environment if the analyses or summaries do not identify a specific applicant or facility or reveal records or other information granted confidential status.

299.55(2)(d) (d) Use of confidential records. Except as provided under par. (c) and this paragraph, the department or the department of justice may use records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection only in the administration and enforcement of s. 287.15 or 299.53. The department or the department of justice may release for general distribution records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the applicant expressly agrees to the release. The department or the department of justice may release on a limited basis records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the department or the department of justice is directed to take this action by a judge or hearing examiner under an order which protects the confidentiality of the records or other information. The department or the department of justice may release to the U.S. environmental protection agency or its authorized representative records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the department or the department of justice includes in each release of records or other information a request to the U.S. environmental protection agency or its authorized representative to protect the confidentiality of the records or other information.

299.55 History History: 1987 a. 384; 1989 a. 335 s. 89; 1995 a. 227 s. 645; Stats. 1995 s. 299.55.

299.62 299.62 Environmental protection requirements for tank vessels.

299.62(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

299.62(1)(a) (a) “Bulk” means an undivided quantity of a substance that is loaded directly into a vessel and is not divided into individual containers.

299.62(1)(am) (am) “Discharge” has the meaning given in s. 292.01 (3).

299.62(1)(b) (b) “Double hull” has the meaning given in 33 CFR 157.03 (kk).

299.62(1)(c) (c) “Hazardous material” has the meaning given in 46 USC 2101 (14).

299.62(1)(d) (d) “Oil” means hydrocarbon, vegetable or mineral oil of any kind or in any form and includes oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.

299.62(1)(e) (e) “Tank vessel” means a vessel that is constructed or adapted to carry, or that carries, oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or cargo residue.

299.62(2) (2) Prohibition.