Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, on or after October 1, 2018, a marketer may not knowingly sell or provide to a consumer individually or as a product component: An electric switch containing mercury; An electric relay containing mercury; or A gas valve switch containing mercury. This section does not apply to an electric switch, an electric relay, or a gas valve switch that is sold or provided to replace a switch or relay that is a component of a larger product in use on or before October 1, 2018, if: The larger product is used in manufacturing; The larger product is used in a generating, transmission, or distributing facility for electric energy, gas, or water; The switch or relay is integrated with, and not physically separate from, other components of the larger product; The use of the switch or relay is required under federal law or regulation; or The manufacturer of the larger product has not approved for use in the larger product a switch or relay that does not contain mercury. A person that violates this section is liable for a civil penalty to be collected in a civil action in the circuit court for any county in the State not exceeding: $1,000 for a first offense; $2,500 for a second offense; or $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. In addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, after an opportunity for a hearing, the Department may impose a fine for each violation of this section, not exceeding: $1,000 for a first offense; $2,500 for a second offense; or $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. The Department shall consider the following in assessing the fine in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph: The willfulness of the violation; The extent to which the violation was known, but uncorrected, by the violator; The extent to which the violation resulted in actual harm to human health or the environment; The nature and degree of injury to, or interference with, general welfare and health; and The extent to which the current violation is part of a pattern of the same or a similar type of violation by the violator. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense under this section.