ECHA's Partnership with the European Commission in Battery Regulation

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and the Council, issued on July 12, 2023, addressing batteries and waste batteries, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been entrusted with a pivotal role in supporting the European Commission. This support involves the identification of substances of concern present in batteries or employed in their manufacturing processes.

Under this regulation, a comprehensive report is expected to be drafted by December 31, 2027. The report holds the potential to introduce additional restrictions on substances within batteries, surpassing the existing limitations pertaining to mercury, cadmium, and lead.

ECHA's active participation in this process ensures that any new or modified restrictions on substances in batteries will be seamlessly aligned with the REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006. ECHA is assigned various responsibilities related to the assessment of risks associated with substances used in battery manufacturing and usage, including pertinent considerations regarding end-of-life aspects. This allocation of tasks enhances the effectiveness of decision-making, and it facilitates the coordinated management of the associated technical, scientific, and administrative aspects outlined in the Batteries Regulation.

The Batteries Regulation marks a significant milestone as the first EU regulation to adopt a holistic life-cycle approach. This approach covers every aspect of batteries, from sourcing and manufacturing to usage and recycling. Consequently, regulatory issues linked to products and materials are increasingly integrated with concepts concerning end-of-life considerations.