(1) Enforcement of this chapter must rely on notification and information exchange between the department and manufacturers. The department must achieve compliance with this chapter using the following enforcement sequence:

(a) Before the effective date of the product prohibition in RCW 70A.405.020 or 70A.405.030, the department must prepare and distribute information to in-state manufacturers and out-of-state manufacturers, to the maximum extent practicable, to assist them in identifying products prohibited for manufacture, sale, or distribution under this chapter.

(b) The department may request a certificate of compliance from a manufacturer. A certificate of compliance attests that a manufacturer's product or products meets the requirements of this chapter.

(c) The department may issue a warning letter to a manufacturer that produces, sells, or distributes prohibited products in violation of this chapter. The department must offer information or other appropriate assistance to the manufacturer in complying with this chapter. If, after one year, compliance is not achieved, penalties may be assessed under subsection (3) of this section.

(2) A manufacturer that knowingly produces, sells, or distributes a product prohibited from manufacture, sale, or distribution in this state under this chapter must recall the product and reimburse the retailer or any other purchaser for the product and any applicable shipping and handling for returning the products.

(3) A manufacturer of products containing PBDEs in violation of this chapter is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation in the case of a first offense. Manufacturers who are repeat violators are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars for each repeat offense. Penalties collected under this section must be deposited in the model toxics control operating account created in RCW 70A.305.180.

Effective date—Intent—2019 c 422: See notes following RCW 82.21.010.