Batteries
Under EU Directive 2006/66/EC (on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators) and implementing EU Member State regulations, producer registration and reporting must be carried out for the relevant battery type.
The collection and treatment requirements of a battery also depend on its type.
All requirements equally apply to batteries and accumulators that are integrated into electrical appliances.
Regulation 1542/2023
The provisions of Directive 2006/66/EC are set to be fully repealed by those of EU Regulation 1542/2023 (concerning batteries and waste batteries)
Regulation 1542/2023 was published on 12 July 2023 and has applied from 18 February 2024. Provisions for the management of waste batteries will apply under Regulation 1542/2023 from 18 August 2025.
Registration, collection, recycling and reporting obligations will apply to wider range of battery types.
Keep an eye on our insights for further information and guidance on the implementation of Regulation 1542/2023.
Portable batteries
There is a reliance on approved Producer Compliance Schemes (PCSs) to manage with collection and recycling of portable batteries
Compliance schemes that are approved by the relevant authorities are available for producers to transfer their registration, reporting, collection and treatment obligations to in almost every country. Producers comply ‘collectively’ with other producers through a scheme, which coordinates the collection and treatment of deposited portable batteries on behalf of its members, in return for fees. For example, portable batteries deposited at local municipal collection points, or handed over by distributors and retailers.
There is often more than one scheme available, sometimes each with different battery type scopes and usually with different fees, costs and administrative steps. EARN can help your company join a suitable PCS for your portable batteries and manage all associated administration.
Industrial batteries
Producers must make separate arrangements to collect and treat the waste industrial batteries for which they are responsible
There is no ‘collective’ producer compliance concept for industrial batteries through a scheme. Take-back and recycling always remains an individual producer responsibility. Waste industrial batteries generally cannot be deposited at the same locations as waste portable batteries, for example, municipal collection points.
Most compliance schemes available in each country will carry out the administrative registration and reporting duties for industrial battery producers, and some can even provide suitable waste industrial battery take-back and treatment solutions, separate from their portable battery operations. However, it very often makes sense for producers to implement their own individual take-back and treatment solution that can leverage additional benefits such as a tailored service for customers, being able to deal with unique business operations, and even deliver cost savings.
An individual solution is essential where there is no compliance scheme service available. This is where EARN’s particular expertise comes in. A tailored individual solution is what sets us apart from others and enables us to provide comprehensive batteries services.
EARN has an established network of local recycling partners, through which we arrange for industrial batteries take-back and recycling, in compliance with country-specific regulations throughout Europe.
Automotive batteries
And separate arrangements are also needed to collect and treat waste automotive batteries
The Batteries Directive categorises an automotive battery as âany battery used for automotive starter, lighting or ignition powerâ. This means a battery of any size or weight that is used for the starting or ignition of the engine of a road going vehicle or for providing power for any lighting used by such a vehicle (batteries used in vehicles that are similar to road-going ones but not used on public roads are also included).
As is the case for industrial batteries, many compliance schemes will complete administrative registration and reporting duties for automotive battery producers as well (and provide suitable waste automotive battery take-back and treatment solutions). But having individual compliance arrangements in place as part of EARN’s comprehensive batteries services can provide a cost-effective compliance solution to your organisation.
Our Solutions for Batteries producers:
Registration with the relevant authorities/battery compliance schemes
Declaring sales data on time
Take-back solutions for waste batteries and accumulators (industrial batteries)
Consulting services
Click here for more information about our batteries compliance solutions.