To respond to the growing demands, the EU has adopted a New Battery Regulation in July 2023, which replaces the previous Battery Directive from 2006 (EU Battery Directive 2006/66/EC). We summarized the Directive and its key changes for you. REGULATION (EU) 2023/1542 of July 12, 2023 on batteries and waste batteries
The EU has implemented a sweeping new regulation that imposes significant obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors of batteries in the European market. The EU battery regulation was adopted June 14, 2023, and it replaces the current batteries legislation, EU Directive 2006/66/EC Battery Directive.
The new EU Batteries Regulation 2023/1542 covers the whole lifecycle of batteries from production to reuse and recycling. As a regulation and no longer a directive, the document applies the same rules to all EU Member States. It also sets out new obligations for manufacturers depending on the battery type, such as:
If a battery is subject to more than one regulation in the EU, one declaration can be provided to cover all applicable regulations. The regulation places certain restrictions on the amount of mercury, cadmium, and lead used in batteries.
The regulation will regulate the entire life cycle of batteries – from production to reuse and recycling – and ensure that they are safe, sustainable and competitive. Batteries are key to the decarbonisation process and the EU's shift towards zero-emission modes of transport.
The regulation places certain restrictions on the amount of mercury, cadmium, and lead used in batteries. Economic operators also should consider any restricted substances identified by Annex XVII under the REACH regulation (EC) 1907/2006.