On July 28, 2023, the EU OJ published a new Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries, which will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication. Old battery Directive 2006/66/EC is repealed with effect from 18 August 2025.
1.Scope
This Regulation applies to all categories of batteries, namely portable batteries, starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI batteries), light means of transport batteries (LMT batteries), electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, design, material composition, chemistry, use or purpose. It shall also apply to batteries that are incorporated into or added to products or that are specifically designed to be incorporated into or added to products.
2.General requirements
This new Regulation lays down requirements on sustainability, safety, labelling, marking and information to allow the placing on the market or putting into service of batteries within the Union. It also lays down minimum requirements for extended producer responsibility, the collection and treatment of waste batteries and for reporting.
3. Restrictions on substances
In addition to the restrictions set out in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and in Article 4(2), point (a), of Directive 2000/53/EC, batteries shall not contain substances for which Annex I to this Regulation contains a restriction unless the conditions of that restriction are complied with.
Annex I RESTRICTION ON SUBSTANCES
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Designation of the substance or group of substances |
Conditions of restriction |
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1. Mercury CAS No 7439-97-6 EC No 231-106-7 and its compounds
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Batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, light means of transport or other vehicles, shall not contain more than 0,0005 % of mercury (expressed as mercury metal) by weight. |
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2. Cadmium CAS No 7440-43-9 EC No 231-152-8 and its compounds |
Portable batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, light means of transport or other vehicles, shall not contain more than 0,002 % of cadmium (expressed as cadmium metal) by weight. |
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3. Lead CAS No 7439-92-1 EC No 231-100-4 and its compounds |
1. From 18 August 2024, portable batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, shall not contain more than 0,01 % of lead (expressed as lead metal) by weight. 2. The restriction set out in point 1 shall not apply to portable zinc-air button cells until 18 August 2028. |
4. Labelling, marking and information requirements
general information: batteries shall bear a label containing the general information on batteries, including information of manufacturer, place and date of manufacture, weight, capacity, chemistry, hazardous substances, usable extinguishing agent, critical raw materials.
Capacity: rechargeable portable batteries, LMT batteries and SLI batteries shall bear a label containing information on their capacity.
Separate collection symbol: all batteries shall be marked with the symbol for separate collection of batteries, all batteries containing more than 0,002 % cadmium or more than 0,004 % lead, shall be marked with the chemical symbol for the metal concerned: Cd or Pb.
QR code: all batteries shall be marked with a QR code, providing access to certain information.
CE marking: The CE marking shall be affixed before the battery is placed on the market or put into service.
Besides that, carbon footprint, performance and durability, removability and replaceability, etc., are also regulated.