(a) The commissioner shall exempt a mercury-added product from the limits on total mercury content set forth in subsection (a) of § 22a-617 if the level of mercury or mercury compounds contained in the product are necessary to comply with federal or state health or safety requirements. In order to obtain such exemption, the manufacturer shall provide the commissioner with, and notify the regional multistate clearinghouse described in § 22a-614 of, information that demonstrates such necessity.

(b) A manufacturer of a mercury-added product or category of products may apply to the commissioner and notify the clearinghouse for a modified or conditional exemption from the limits on total mercury content set forth in subsection (a) of § 22a-617 provided such exemption shall be for not more than four years.

(c) The manufacturer shall apply for a modified or conditional exemption (1) not later than one year before the effective date of the limit for which the exemption is being requested in the case of an existing product or category of products, or (2) prior to the sale or distribution in the case of promotional purposes of a new product or category of products.

(d) An application for a modified or conditional exemption shall (1) document the basis for the requested exemption or renewal of exemption, and (2) describe how the manufacturer will ensure that a system exists for the proper collection, transportation and processing of the product or products at the end of their useful life.

(e) In determining whether to grant a modified or conditional exemption for a product or category of products the commissioner shall consider (1) whether a system exists for the proper collection, transportation and processing of the mercury-added product, including, but not limited to, a system for the direct return of a waste product to the manufacturer or a collection and recycling system that is supported by an industry or trade group, or other similar private or public sector efforts, and (2) whether each of the following criteria is met: (A) Use of the product is beneficial to the environment or protective of public health or protective of public safety; (B) there is no technically feasible alternative to the use of mercury in the product; (C) there is no comparable product, other than a mercury-added product, available at reasonable cost; and (D) with respect to a renewal of an exemption, reasonable efforts have been made to remove mercury from the product.

(f) Prior to issuing a modified or conditional exemption, the commissioner shall consult with the clearinghouse, states, Canadian provinces and regional governmental organizations to promote consistency in the implementation of this section.

(g) The commissioner may renew, for a period of not longer than four years, a modified or conditional exemption one or more times if (1) the manufacturer applies for the renewal, and (2) the commissioner finds that the manufacturer meets the requirements for such exemption and that the manufacturer has complied with all the conditions of the original approval.