The regulations from the European Parliament and the Council will apply to all batteries, including all waste portable batteries, batteries for electric vehicles, industrial batteries, starter, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries - mainly used in vehicles and machinery - and batteries for light transport vehicles. The stated aim is to regulate the entire life cycle of batteries, from production to reuse and recycling to 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. At the same time, end-of-life batteries contain many valuable resources and we must be able to reuse those critical raw materials instead of relying on third countries for supplies. The new rules will promote the competitiveness of European industry and ensure new batteries are sustainable and contribute to the green transition," comments Teresa Ribera, Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition, currently heading the EU Presidency.

The regulation sets a target for the recovery of lithium from waste batteries of 50 per cent by the end of 2027 and 80 per cent by the end of 2031, which can be amended through delegated acts according to technological and market developments and the availability of lithium.

In addition, the EU sets collection targets for portable battery waste from producers (63% by the end of 2027 and 73% by the end of 2030) and introduces a specific collection target for light-duty vehicle battery waste (51% by the end of 2028 and 61% by the end of 2031).

According to a statement from the EU, the new rules aim to improve the functioning of the internal market for batteries and ensure fairer competition thanks to the safety, sustainability and labelling requirements. This will be reached through performance, durability and safety criteria, tight restrictions for hazardous substances like mercury, cadmium and lead and mandatory information on the carbon footprint of batteries.

The regulation also introduces labelling and information requirements, among other things on the battery's components and recycled content, and an electronic “battery passport” and a QR code. In order to give member states and economic actors on the market enough time to prepare, labelling requirements will apply by 2026 and the QR code by 2027.

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