Assessment of battery-containing products required

(1) On or before December 1, 2028, a battery stewardship organization shall complete an assessment of the opportunities and challenges associated with the end-of-life management of portable and medium-format embedded batteries in the state. A battery stewardship organization should, to the extent feasible, extrapolate findings from related studies, including those conducted within Colorado, and apply the findings to the assessment for Colorado. (2) In completing the assessment, a battery stewardship organization shall consult with the department and interested stakeholders and may coordinate with other battery stewardship organizations. (3) As part of the assessment, a battery stewardship organization shall identify adjustments to the battery stewardship program requirements established by this part 10 that would maximize public health, safety, and environmental benefits. (4) The assessment must consider: (a) The different categories and uses of battery-containing products; (b) Methods by which unwanted battery-containing products are managed in Colorado and other states and United States territories; (c) Challenges posed by the potential collection in rural and urban areas, management, and transportation of battery-containing products, including challenges associated with removing batteries that were not intended or designed to be easily removed from products other than by the manufacturer; and (d) Which requirements of this part 10 may apply to battery-containing products in a manner that is identical or analogous to the requirements applicable to covered batteries. (5) The department shall submit the assessment completed pursuant to this section to the general assembly on or before March 1, 2029.