(a) Sale prohibited. Except as set forth under subsection (b) of this section, beginning July 1, 2012, no retailer shall sell or offer for sale a mercury-containing lamp unless the retailer has reviewed the Agency website required in subsection 7156(g) of this title to determine that the manufacturer of the mercury-containing lamp is implementing an approved collection plan or is a member of a stewardship organization.
(b) Inventory exception; expiration or revocation of manufacturer registration. A retailer shall not be responsible for an unlawful sale of a mercury-containing lamp under this subsection if:
(1) the retailer purchased the mercury-containing lamp prior to July 1, 2012; or
(2) the manufacturer’s collection plan expired or was revoked, and the retailer took possession of the in-store inventory of mercury-containing lamps prior to the expiration or revocation of the manufacturer’s collection plan.