EU sustainable batteries regulation

author: FutureCar Staff    

The new EU Batteries Regulation has been published in the Official Journal of the EU, marking an important step in promoting the sustainability of batteries. The regulation, which will come into force later this month, replaces the existing EU Batteries Directive and applies to all categories of batteries used in the European Union.

The Regulation sets out three main priorities: strengthening the functioning of the internal market, promoting a circular economy, and reducing the environmental and societal impact of batteries. It introduces requirements for economic operators placing batteries on the market, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

Specific obligations are outlined for manufacturers, importers, and distributors, including the establishment of extended producer responsibility. Producers will be responsible for financing the costs of collecting, treating, and recycling batteries, as well as providing information to end-users and waste operators.

The Regulation also focuses on promoting a circular economy by setting targets for the collection and recycling of waste batteries. Producers will be required to collect a certain percentage of waste batteries by specific deadlines. Additionally, the Regulation mandates minimum levels of recycled content for certain materials used in new batteries.

The Regulation also introduces harmonized rules on safety, sustainability, and labelling requirements. Hazardous substances will be restricted, and the carbon footprint of batteries will need to be disclosed. Labels will provide information on components, lifetime of battery, and recycled content.

Economic operators will need to comply with due diligence requirements, including verifying the source of raw materials used for batteries. Non-compliance can result in restrictions or prohibitions on the market availability of batteries.

Implementation of the Regulation will require further clarification and rules through secondary legislative files. These files will address topics such as the calculation and verification of the carbon footprint of batteries and restricted substance use.

The Regulation will have a significant impact on companies in various sectors, particularly those involved in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy storage. It reflects the increasing importance of batteries in the energy transition.

The Regulation will enter into force later this month and will apply six months later, with a faded effective date for certain obligations. Member states will have individual discretion in imposing sanctions for non-compliance.

In conclusion, the new EU Batteries Regulation aims to promote the sustainability of batteries, establish a circular economy, and reduce the environmental impact of batteries. It introduces requirements for economic operators, sets targets for waste battery collection and recycling, and harmonizes safety and labelling rules. Compliance with due diligence requirements is also mandatory. Further clarification and rules will be provided through secondary legislative files. The Regulation will have a significant impact on companies in various industries and will come into force later this month.

FutureCar Staff