The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to enact a comprehensive and innovative system for the reuse, recycling, and proper and legal disposal of covered electronic devices, and to provide incentives to design electronic devices that are less toxic, more recyclable, and that use recycled materials.

(b) It is the further purpose of this chapter to enact a law that establishes a program that is cost free and convenient for consumers and the public to return, recycle, and ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of covered electronic devices.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the cost associated with the handling, recycling, and disposal of covered electronic devices is the responsibility of the producers and consumers of covered electronic devices, and not local government or their service providers, state government, or taxpayers.

(d) In order to reduce the likelihood of illegal disposal of these hazardous materials, it is the intent of this chapter to ensure that any cost associated with the proper management of covered electronic devices be internalized by the producers and consumers of covered electronic devices at or before the point of purchase, and not at the point of discard.

(e) Manufacturers of covered electronic devices, in working to achieve the goals and objectives of this chapter, should have the flexibility to partner with each other and with those public sector entities and business enterprises that currently provide collection and processing services to develop and promote a safe and effective covered electronic device recycling system for California.

(f) The producers of electronic products, components, and devices should reduce and, to the extent feasible, ultimately phase out the use of hazardous materials in those products.

(g) Electronic products, components, and devices, to the greatest extent feasible, should be designed for extended life, repair, and reuse.

(h) The purpose of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 is to provide sufficient funding for the safe, cost-free, and convenient collection and recycling of 100 percent of the covered electronic waste initially discarded in the state, to eliminate electronic waste stockpiles and legacy devices by December 31, 2007, to end the illegal disposal of covered electronic devices, to establish manufacturer responsibility for reporting to the board on the manufacturer’s efforts to phase out hazardous materials in electronic devices and increase the use of recycled materials, and to ensure that electronic devices sold in the state do not violate the regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25214.10 of the Health and Safety Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 523, Sec. 1. (AB 549) Effective January 1, 2013. Conditionally inoperative as provided in Sections 42485 and 42486.)