§ 23-24.1-3. Technical advisory committee - Packaging regulations. (a) The director may establish, as he or she deems necessary, an ad hoc technical advisory committee to assist and advise him or her in establishing any standards deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(b)(1) All regulations prescribing standards for the special packaging of household substances now or hereafter adopted under the authority of the federal act are the regulatory standards for special packaging of household substances in this state. The director may by regulation provide for modification or deviation from these regulations when he or she deems it necessary and advisable, whether or not the modifications or deviations are in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to the federal act.

(2) A federal regulation automatically adopted pursuant to this chapter takes effect in this state on the date it becomes effective as a federal regulation. No publication or hearing is required; provided, that the director shall publish all of the regulations in a newspaper having general circulation throughout the state. A person who may be adversely affected by a regulation may, within 30 days after a federal regulation is automatically adopted, file with the director, in writing, objections and a request for a hearing. The timely filing of substantial objections to a federal regulation automatically adopted stays the effect of the regulation.

(3) If no substantial objections are received and no hearing is requested within thirty (30) days after publication of a proposed regulation, it shall take effect as of the date it was adopted by the federal government.

(4) If timely substantial objections are made to a federal regulation within thirty (30) days after it is automatically adopted, the director, after notice, shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42.

(5) The director is authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

(c) All regulations prescribing standards for the special packaging of household substances now or hereafter adopted under the authority of the federal act are the regulatory standards for special packaging of household substances in this state.

(d) Compliance with federal regulations prescribing standards issued pursuant to the federal act shall be deemed in compliance with this chapter.

(e) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the director to prescribe specific packaging designs, product content, package quantity, or with the exception of authority granted in § 23-24.1-4(a)(2), labeling. In the case of a household substance for which special packaging is required pursuant to a regulation under this section, the director may in the regulation prohibit the packaging of the substance in packages which he or she determines are unnecessarily attractive to children.

History of Section. (P.L. 1977, ch. 90 § 2; G.L. 1956, § 23-38.2-3; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 72, § 1.)