(a) For purposes of this section: “Retailer” means a person who engages in the sale to the general public of items for which a label is required under the regulations adopted under this section; “wholesaler” means a person who engages in the sale of any such item to a retailer; and “manufacturer” means a person who manufactures any such item and sells such item to a retailer or wholesaler.

(b) After the adoption of the regulations authorized by subsection (c) of this section, a manufacturer or wholesaler may not sell for use in this state, and a retailer may not sell, any of the items for which a label is required under the regulations adopted under this section unless the item is labeled to clearly inform the purchaser or consumer that mercury is present in the item and that the item must be properly disposed of or recycled.

(c) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall cooperate with any effort to adopt a proposed label for products containing mercury which effort is undertaken by the New England Governors’ Conference and the eastern Canadian premiers who adopted a mercury action plan in June, 1998. If such group agrees to a proposed label, the commissioner, in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 shall require such label to be affixed to any product sold in this state which the commissioner deems necessary, other than any medication. The purpose of such regulations shall be to facilitate the recycling of such products and to reduce the presence of mercury in the solid waste stream. If said group does not agree to a proposed label on or before January 1, 2001, the commissioner shall propose to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment a plan for the labeling of products containing mercury.