Section 10-1-202.1. Addition of denatonium benzoate to certain antifreeze; applicability; limitation on civil and criminal liability

   (a) Antifreeze sold in this state that is manufactured after July 1, 2012, containing more than 10 percent ethylene glycol shall include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million and a maximum of 50 parts per million as an aversive agent to render the antifreeze unpalatable.

(b) The requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall apply only to manufacturers, packagers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of antifreeze and shall apply to recyclers notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 10-1-208.1.

(c) The requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to the sale of a motor vehicle, as defined in Code Section 40-1-1, that contains antifreeze or to wholesale containers containing 55 gallons or more of antifreeze.

(d) A manufacturer, packager, distributor, recycler, or seller of antifreeze that is required to contain denatonium benzoate pursuant to this Code section shall not be liable to any person for personal injury, death, property damage, damage to the environment including without limitation natural resources, or economic loss that results solely from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in the antifreeze; provided, however, that such limitation on liability shall only be applicable if denatonium benzoate is included in antifreeze in the concentrations mandated by subsection (a) of this Code section. Such limitation on liability shall not apply to a particular liability to the extent that the cause of that liability is unrelated to the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in antifreeze.

(e) In any criminal prosecution under this part or civil action for damages relating to the requirements of this part, a distributor or seller of antifreeze who is not the manufacturer, packager, or recycler of such antifreeze and who sells or distributes antifreeze that is labeled as containing denatonium benzoate shall not be criminally responsible for, and shall be immune from civil liability for, failure to include denatonium benzoate in such labeled package, bill of lading, receipt, or container of antifreeze; provided, however, that if such distributor or seller of antifreeze has actual knowledge that the labeled product does not contain denatonium benzoate in the concentrations mandated by subsection (a) of this Code section, such distributor or seller shall not receive the immunity provided by this subsection.

Code 1981, § 10-1-202.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 331, § 2/HB 40; Ga. L. 2012, p. 775, § 10/HB 942.