Mercury Clearinghouse

IMERC Fact Sheet (PDF)

Starting in 1999 the states in the Northeast and other parts of the country actively began to pursue enactment of legislation focused on reducing mercury in products and waste. In the Northeast, these efforts focused on enactment of provisions of the Mercury Education and Reduction Model Legislation. In 2001 NEWMOA launched the Interstate Mercury Education and Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) to provide:

• Ongoing technical and programmatic assistance to states that have enacted mercury education and reduction legislation
• A single point of contact for industry and the public for information on mercury-added products and member states’ mercury education and reduction programs

The IMERC state members include Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

IMERC’s Activities

Overall, IMERC facilitates deliberations that provide advice and assistance to the individual states for their decision-making. Specifically, IMERC:

• Collects and manages data submitted by manufacturers of mercury-added products (MAPs), as necessary to implement the notification provisions of state mercury reduction legislation.
• Facilitates interstate collaboration on the development and implementation of public education and outreach programs on MAPs.
• Endeavors to make information on MAPs available to industry and the public via the MAP Database.
• Responds to public information requests for information on mercury-added products, the requirements of the member states, and the status of state implementation of their laws.
• Provides technical assistance, facilitates reviews, and make recommendations to the member states concerning:
  • Manufacturers’ applications for exemptions to the phase-out of MAPs.
  • Manufacturers’ applications for alternative labeling of MAPs.
  • Manufacturers’ plans for collection and proper waste management of mercury-containing materials.

IMERC’s Structure

IMERC’s membership includes NEWMOA and non-NEWMOA member state government agencies. All members pay an annual fee and have a vote on the recommendations made by the Clearinghouse to the states. All state representatives to IMERC are appointed by the responsible State Agency Commissioner/Director.

NEWMOA’s staff provides logistical, facilitation, and technical support for the activities of IMERC.

For more information, contact imerc@newmoa.org.

Current members of IMERC include: Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont. IMERC invites additional states to join.

Benefits
IMERC Members benefit through:

• Consistency in state implementation of mercury education and reduction laws, including notification and other data-gathering activities, product bans and phase-outs, labeling, and collection systems
• Effective interstate coordination and communication on legislative initiatives, laws, and rules concerning mercury-added products (MAPs).
• Efficient and effective communications with the regulated community;
• Interstate communications and coordination on public education on mercury-added products and wastes
• Effective measurement of the impacts of state mercury-reduction programs
• Public access to relevant state information and guidance
• Effective collection of MAPs and improved management of these materials

Current IMERC activities include:

• Facilitating interstate collaboration on the development and implementation of public education and outreach programs on mercury-added products
• Collecting and managing data on mercury-added products
• Making information on mercury-added products publicly available
• Analyzing trends in mercury use in products and preparing reports presenting the results
• Responding to requests for information on mercury management, education, and reduction legislation
• Providing technical assistance, facilitating review, and making recommendations to the member states concerning (1) manufacturer notifications to states regarding the use, amount, and purpose of mercury in their products; (2) manufacturer applications for exemptions to the phase-out of mercury-added products; (3) manufacturer applications for alternative labeling of mercury-added products; and (4) manufacturer plans for collection and proper waste management of mercury-containing materials.

All of IMERC’s Members have an equal vote on the recommendations made by the Clearinghouse to its membership. All state representatives to IMERC are appointed by the responsible State Environmental Agency Commissioner or Director.

IMERC is a program of NEWMOA.

Application Process
Any state agency that is interested in joining IMERC should send a letter stating its interest in joining the Clearinghouse and willingness to pay the annual dues to IMERC, c/o NEWMOA, 89 South Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02111.

Annual Dues for Members
States (based on population):

• Less than or equal to 3.5 million people = $5,500
• 3.6 million to 20 million people = $11,000

IMERC’s fiscal year commences October 1 of each year. NEWMOA sends out invoices and notices late in the fiscal year for payment of dues for the following year. Arrangement can be made for pro-rating dues for a partial year for new members.

Current supporting members of IMERC include: Consumers for Dental Choice. IMERC invites manufacturers, distributors, and importers of mercury-added products; trade associations; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and other interested parties to join. Contact IMERC to determine eligibility.

Benefits
IMERC Supporting Members benefit through:

• Technical assistance with notification, labeling, and phase-out requirements
• Participation in webinars and discussions related to the results of mercury reduction efforts, new programs and legislation, and other important topics
• Participation in virtual meetings to discuss ways to improve effectiveness of IMERC’s programs
• Participation in review of outreach and educational materials related to mercury-added products data analysis
• Wider access to mercury-added products data reported through the e-filing system (e.g., product summary reports)
• Prioritization of IMERC’s review of Supporting Member’s submittals and requests
• Promotion of the efforts by Supporting Members to develop and use non-mercury alternatives
  
  Application Process
• Submit a complete Supporting Member Application Form [PDF]
• Submit a signed Supporting Member Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) [PDF]

Payment of IMERC dues is not required as part of the application process. If the application is approved, IMERC will invoice the Supporting Member based on the dues structure outlined below.

Annual Dues for Supporting Members
Manufacturers/Distributors/Importers (based on size):

• 1-50 employees in the company = $500
• 51-100 employees in the company = $750
• More than 100 employees in the company =$1,000

Trade Associations (based on membership):

• 1-5 member companies in trade association = $2,000
• 6-10 member companies in trade association = $3,000
• More than 10 member companies in trade association = $4,000

Non-governmental Organizations (based on size):

• 1-10 employees in the program = $100
• More than 10 employees in the program = $500

• How to Complete a First Notification
• How to Amend a Notification
• How to Delete Draft or Incomplete Submissions
• How to Renew a Triennial Application
• How to Submit an Alternative Labeling Plan Application
• How to Submit a Phase-Out Exemption Application

Click here for additional information about reporting to IMERC.