Detailed Instructions: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
Problem:SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Reduction of Metals in Packaging
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--
(1) the management of solid waste can pose a wide range of
hazards to public health and safety and to the environment;
(2) packaging comprises a significant percentage of the
overall solid waste stream;
(3) the presence of heavy metals in packaging is a concern
in light of the likely presence of heavy metals in emissions or
ash when packaging is incinerated, or in leachate when
packaging is landfilled;
(4) lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, on the
basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of
particular concern;
(5) it is desirable as a first step in reducing the
toxicity of packaging waste to eliminate the addition of these
heavy metals to packaging; and
(6) the intent of this Act is to achieve this reduction in
toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of
postconsumer materials in the production of packaging and
components of packaging.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ''Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Distributor.--The term ''distributor'' means any person
who purchases goods from a manufacturer for sale or promotional
use.
(3) Incidental presence.--The term ''incidental presence''
means the presence of lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent
chromium in a package or packaging component if the substance
was not intentionally introduced into the package or packaging
component for its own properties or characteristics.
(4) Intentional introduction.--
(A) In general.--The term ''intentional
introduction'' means the purposeful introduction of
lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium into a
package or packaging component with an intent that one
or more of the substances be present in the package or
packaging component.
(B) Exclusion.--The term does not include--
(i) the background levels of the substances
that naturally occur in raw materials or are
present as postconsumer additions, and that are
not purposefully added to perform as part of a
package or packaging component; and
(ii) any trace quantities of a processing
aid or similar material used to produce a
product from which a package or packaging
component is manufactured, if the processing
aid or similar material is reasonably expected
to be consumed or transformed into a
nonregulated material during the process.
(5) Manufacturer.--The term ''manufacturer'' means any
person in the chain of production who makes a package or
packaging component for sale or promotional purposes, including
an importer of packages or packaging components.
(6) Package or packaging.--The term ''package'' or
''packaging'' means a container that provides a means of
marketing, protecting, or handling a product. The term includes
a unit package, an intermediate, and a chipping container as
defined in standard D-996 issued by the American Society of
Testing and Materials, and unsealed receptacles such as
carrying cases, crates, cups, pails, rigid foil, and other
trays, wrappers and wrapping films, bags, and tubs.
(7) Packaging component.--The term ''packaging component''
means any individual assembled part of packaging, including any
interior or exterior blocking, bracing, cushioning,
weatherproofing, exterior strapping, coating, closure, ink,
label, adhesive, and stabilizer, except that the term does not
include steel strapping. For the purposes of this section, tin-
plated steel that meets the specification under standard A-623
issued by the American Society of Testing and Materials shall
be deemed an individual packaging component.

SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON ADDITION OF CERTAIN HEAVY METALS IN PACKAGING.

(a) In General.--Except as provided in section 5, effective 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the intentional introduction
of lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium to packaging or any
component thereof during manufacturing or distribution by any person is
prohibited.
(b) Concentration Levels.--The sum of the concentration levels of
lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium present in packaging or
any component thereof may not exceed--
(1) 600 parts per million by weight (0.06 percent) on or
after the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act and before the date specified in paragraph (2);
(2) 250 parts per million by weight (0.025 percent) on or
after the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act and before the date specified in paragraph (3); and
(3) 100 parts per million by weight (0.01 percent) on or
after the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 5. EXEMPTIONS.

(a) In General.--The requirements of section 4 shall not apply to
packaging and any component thereof--
(1) with a code indicating a date of manufacture of the
packaging or component, or date of bottling or manufacturing of
distilled spirits and wines, that is prior to the effective
date of this Act; or
(2) if alternative evidence of a date of manufacture or
bottling prior to the effective date of this Act is provided to
the satisfaction of the Administrator.
(b) Safety Considerations.--
(1) In general.--The requirements of section 4 shall not
apply to packaging and any component thereof to which lead,
cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium has been added in the
manufacturing, forming, printing, or distribution process--
(A) in order to comply with health or safety
requirements of Federal law; or
(B) because the addition of one or more of the
substances is essential for the protection, safe
handling, or functioning of the contents of the
packaging,
if the Administrator grants an exemption from the requirements
of this Act to the manufacturer of the package or packaging
component on the basis of either criterion.
(2) Period.--If the Administrator determines that
circumstances warrant an exemption from the requirements of
this Act, the Administrator may grant an exemption for a period
of 2 years.
(3) Renewal.--An exemption under paragraph (2) may, on
meeting either criterion under paragraph (1), be renewed every
2 years.
(c) Use of Recycled Materials.--During the 6-year period beginning
on the date of enactment of this Act, the requirements of section 4
shall not apply to packaging and any component thereof that would not
exceed the concentration levels in section (b) but for the addition of
recycled materials.

SEC. 6. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.

(a) In General.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the manufacturer or supplier of
packaging or any component thereof shall furnish to each
purchaser a certificate of compliance stating that the
packaging or packaging component is in compliance with the
requirements of this Act.
(2) Exemptions.--If the manufacturer or supplier claims an
exemption under section 5, the manufacturer or supplier shall
state the specific basis on which the exemption is claimed on
the certificate of compliance.
(3) Signature.--The certificate of compliance shall be
signed by an authorized official of the manufacturing or
supplying company.
(4) Retention of certificate by purchaser.--The purchaser
shall retain the certificate of compliance for as long as the
packaging is in use.
(5) Retention of copy by manufacturer or supplier.--A copy
of the certificate of compliance shall be kept on file by the
manufacturer or supplier of the packaging or packaging
component.
(6) Copies to administrator and public.--A copy of the
certificate of compliance shall be furnished to the
Administrator on request, and to members of the public in
accordance with section 7.
(b) Amended or New Certificate.--If the manufacturer or supplier of
packaging or packaging components reformulates or creates a new package
or packaging component, the manufacturer or supplier shall provide an
amended or new certificate of compliance for the reformulated or new
package or packaging component.

SEC. 7. PUBLIC ACCESS.

(a) Request.--A request from a member of the public for a copy of a
certificate of compliance from the manufacturer or supplier of
packaging or components thereof shall be--
(1) in writing, with a copy provided to the Administrator;
and
(2) specific as to the package or packaging component
information requested.
(b) Response to Request.--A manufacturer shall respond to a request
that meets the requirements of subsection (a) not later than 60 days
after receipt of the request.

SEC. 8. FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT.

Whenever on the basis of any information the Administrator
determines that any person has violated or is in violation of this Act,
the Administrator may issue an order assessing a civil penalty in an
amount not to exceed $25,000.

SEC. 9. NONPRE-EMPTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to prohibit a State
from establishing and enforcing a standard or requirement with respect
to toxic metals in packaging that is more stringent than a standard or
requirement relating to toxic metals in packaging established or
promulgated under this Act.

SEC. 10. REGULATIONS.

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall promulgate regulations to carry out this Act.
Solution:
Reduction of Metals in Packaging Act - Prohibits the intentional introduction of lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium into a package or packaging component during manufacturing or distribution.
Sets forth the maximum allowable concentration level of the sum of such elements in packaging.
Makes such prohibition inapplicable for packaging: (1) that was manufactured prior to this Act's effective date; or (2) that would not exceed maximum concentration levels but for the addition of recycled materials. Provides for two-year exemptions from requirements for packaging to which lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium has been added to comply with Federal health or safety requirements or, because it is essential for the protection, safe handling, or function of the package contents. Permits for the renewal of exemptions.
Requires packaging manufacturers or suppliers to furnish certificates of compliance (with respect to this Act's requirements) to purchasers. Makes certificates of compliance available to the public upon request.
Authorizes the assessment of civil penalties for violations of this Act.