567—107.4(455C) Redemption centers. The Act provides for both approved and unapproved redemption centers. Both approved and unapproved redemption centers redeem empty beverage containers and pay the refund value to consumers. Only approved redemption centers can satisfy the requirements of Iowa Code sections 455C.4(2)“a”(2) and 455C.4(2)“a”(3) and 2022 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2378, section 19.1(a) or 19.1(b). Additionally, only approved redemption centers will be listed on the department’s electronic database pursuant to Iowa Code section 455C.4(2)“c.”
	107.4(1) Approved redemption centers.
	a. 	Any person may file with the department an application for approval of a redemption center.
	b. 	An annual application for approval of a redemption center shall be submitted to the department electronically.
	(1)	Initial application. All redemption centers in existence prior to January 1, 2023, that wish to be considered approved under this chapter must apply for approval pursuant to the requirements of subrule 107.4(1) by January 31, 2023. This will ensure that the approved redemption center list published by the department is accurate and includes existing redemption centers. All other redemption centers that wish to be considered approved under this chapter (i.e., new redemption centers established any time after January 1, 2023) should file their application within 30 days of starting their business.
	(2)	Annual renewals. All redemption centers should file their annual renewal application by January 31 of each subsequent year to allow the department to update its approved redemption center list in a timely manner.
	(3)	Application requirements. A redemption center must submit a separate application for each facility, including if a redemption center is operating a mobile redemption system for a dealer or dealers. The information on the application will be included in an electronic database for consumers to locate the nearest approved redemption center; as such, applications must be resubmitted annually to ensure that contact information remains accurate. There is no fee to submit the application. The application shall include the following information:
	1.	Name, address and telephone number of the redemption center;
	2.	Name, address and telephone number of the person or persons responsible for the establishment and operation of the redemption center;
	3.	A statement that the operator of the redemption center understands it must accept all redeemable containers, except for those containers exempted in rule 567—107.13(455C);
	4.	Whether the redemption center will be operating a mobile redemption system and the location(s) where the system will be operated.
	c. 	The department will issue an electronic order of approval once a complete application is received.
	d. 	The department may at any time rescind the order approving a redemption center if the department determines, after notice and hearing, that the redemption center is in violation of the Act or this chapter or that the redemption center is no longer meeting the above criteria.
	e. 	An approved redemption center shall accept from consumers and shall pay the refund value for all beverage containers that bear an Iowa refund value and those containers exempted from the labeling requirement pursuant to subrule 107.3(10).
	f. 	When an approved redemption center is closing permanently, it shall give to the department notice that includes the redemption center’s final date of operation. As of the final date of operation, the redemption center’s approval as a redemption center shall be terminated and a dealer it was approved to serve shall no longer be an exempt dealer. An approved redemption center must notify the department and any dealers or distributors with which the redemption center has agreements 30 days prior to the redemption center’s closing.
	107.4(2) Unapproved redemption centers. Nothing in the Act or this chapter prevents a person from establishing a redemption center that has not been approved by the department. These facilities are not approved redemption centers as required by some sections of the Act.
	107.4(3) Distributor redemption centers.
	a. 	Each beer distributor selling nonrefillable metal beverage containers in this state shall provide individually or collectively by contract or agreement with a dealer, person operating a redemption center or another person, at least one facility in the county seat of each county where refused empty nonrefillable metal beverage containers, refused pursuant to rule 567—107.13(455C), having a readable refund value indication as required by this chapter may be accepted and redeemed. In cities having a population of 25,000 or more, the number of the facilities provided shall be one for each 25,000 population or a fractional part of that population.
	b. 	Distributor redemption centers may be either “approved” or “unapproved.” To be “approved,” the facility must submit an application pursuant to subrule 107.4(1), which includes the requirement to accept more than just metal beverage containers.
[ARC 6791C, IAB 1/11/23, effective 12/16/22]