EU sustainable batteries regulation

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【Summary】The new EU Batteries Regulation, which replaces the existing Batteries Directive, aims to promote the sustainability of batteries throughout their life cycle. It applies to all categories of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles, and sets requirements for recycling, labelling, and due diligence. The regulation also focuses on circular economy principles, with targets for collecting and recovering waste batteries.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 7:01 AM PT

The new EU Batteries Regulation has been published in the Official Journal of the EU, and it will come into effect later this month. The Regulation aims to promote the sustainability of batteries throughout their entire life cycle and applies to all types of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles and industrial applications. It sets requirements for recycling, labelling, and due diligence.

The new Batteries Regulation replaces the existing EU Batteries Directive and focuses on strengthening the internal market, promoting a circular economy, and reducing the environmental and societal impact of batteries. It applies to all economic operators placing batteries on the market or putting them into service in the European Union, including imported batteries. The Regulation also introduces specific obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors, including extended producer responsibility.

The Regulation aligns with the European Green Deal and aims to boost circularity in batteries throughout their lifecycle. It sets targets for the collection of waste batteries and the recovery of critical materials like lithium. It also introduces mandatory minimum levels of recycled content for certain batteries and requires portable batteries to be removable and replaceable by the end-user.

In addition to promoting sustainability, the Regulation also introduces harmonized rules on safety, sustainability, and labelling requirements. It restricts the use of hazardous substances and requires the disclosure of the carbon footprint of batteries. Labels will need to provide information on components, lifetime, and recycled content, and a QR code linking to battery composition information will be required.

The Regulation also includes supply chain due diligence requirements, similar to other supply chain legislation. Economic operators will need to verify the source of raw materials, determine internal responsibilities, and publish due diligence policies based on international standards. Non-compliance can result in restrictions or prohibitions on the batteries and specific sanctions.

Companies in various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy storage, will be affected by the Regulation. It will enter into force later this month, with key obligations coming into effect in August 2024. Further clarification and rules will be provided through secondary legislative files in the coming years.