Maine has enacted its first comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law for batteries. LD 474, An Act to Establish a Stewardship Program for Primary and Rechargeable Batteries, was signed into law on April 3, 2026. This marks the fourth US state to adopt battery EPR legislation in 2026.
Navigating this and other state-run EPR laws that are being implemented in parallel requires more than awareness; it requires a clear strategy for understanding their operational and compliance impacts. CGlobal, the consulting division of H2 Compliance, provides the end‑to‑end expertise necessary to turn these new regulatory requirements into a seamless part of your business model.
Regulatory & Scope Assessment
LD 474 applies to certain primary and rechargeable batteries. CGlobal supports you with:
- Covered Batteries Identification: Reviewing product portfolios to determine which batteries and battery‑containing products fall within scope
- Reporting Categorization: Classifying products by chemistry and weight to anticipate future stewardship fees.
Battery Stewardship Organization Strategy
The statute establishes a framework under which producers must operate through an approved battery stewardship program. Producers may fulfill obligations individually or collectively through a battery stewardship organization, subject to approval by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
There are 2 key deadlines to keep track of after the stewardship plan is approved by DEP:
- 6-month Participation Requirement: Producers and retailers must participate in the approved program.
- 2-Year Sales Prohibition Trigger: Products in scope may no longer be sold or distributed in or into Maine unless the producer or retailer is participating in an approved program.
Our team acts as your liaison to:
- Evaluate Participation Pathways: Assess participation through an existing or newly formed stewardship organization, consistent with the options allowed under LD 474.
Registering, Reporting & Audit Readiness
LD 474 requires approved stewardship programs to submit reports to the state and maintain records demonstrating program performance and compliance with statutory objectives.
CGlobal provides compliance-oriented support focused on:
- Reporting Readiness: Structuring internal data collection to align with reporting requirements
- Audit Preparedness: Supporting recordkeeping practices that allow producers to demonstrate participation in an approved battery stewardship program.
End-to-end compliance support
Maine’s new battery stewardship law shifts end-of-life responsibility for covered batteries to producers and establishes a statewide collection and management framework. Early alignment with the requirements helps reduce compliance risk and protect continued market access in Maine.
Contact us today to schedule a regulatory impact assessment for your Maine operations and to support alignment with Maine’s battery stewardship objectives as established in LD 474.
Published May 13, 2026