Proposal of New EU Rules on Batteries: Towards a Sustainable and Circular Economy

The European Union (EU) Permanent Representatives Committee has endorsed new regulations on batteries and waste batteries, aligning with the circular economy goals of the European Green Deal. These regulations establish a harmonized framework for the entire life cycle of batteries placed on the EU market, encompassing sustainability, safety, storage, treatment, labeling, and information requirements.

Key highlights of the regulations include:

• Sustainability and Safety Requirements: The regulations introduce sustainability and safety requirements for batteries, including compliance with substance restrictions and specified recycled content for industrial batteries.
• Design Requirements for Portable Batteries: Design requirements are established for portable batteries used in electronic devices to enable easy removal and replacement by end-users. This promotes user convenience and faciliates proper battery management.
• Company Due Diligence Policies: The regulations require companies to adopt due diligence policies addressing raw materials and associated social and environmental risks. This encourages responsible sourcing and supply chain management.
• Labelling, Marking, and Information Requirements: The regulations impose labelling, marking, and information requirements for batteries. This includes the use of symbols indicating separate collection and specific chemical symbols for batteries containing certain metals. These measures promote proper handling and recycling of batteries
• Waste Management Obligations: The regulations establish waste management obligations, including producer registration and the fulfillment of extended producer responsibility. These measures ensure that producers take responsibility for the collection, treatment, and recycling of waste batteries.

The regulations apply to all categories of batteries placed on the EU market, regardless of their origin, and cover batteries designed to be incorporated into products or added to products. They will replace Directive 2006/66/EC and amend Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. Through the implementation of these regulations, the EU aims to foster sustainability, enhance the circular economy, and ensure the responsible management of batteries throughout their lifecycle.

For further details, please refer to the full text of the regulations.