Battery-specific Legislation

Battery Directive

Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, or the EU Battery Directive as it is more commonly known, has the aim of minimising the negative impact of batteries on the environment and improving their overall environmental performance. It restricts the use of some materials in batteries (particularly mercury and cadmium) and tasks Member States with encouraging the development of improvements to the environmental performance of batteries and putting in place battery collection schemes. Member States must also ensure that storage and recycling of spent batteries is appropriate and fit for the purpose. Member States are required to regularly report on progress in the areas covered by this Directive. Under this directive SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) batteries are defined as automotive batteries whereas hybrid and electric vehicle batteries are treated as industrial batteries. Furthermore, the Battery Directive acts as a framework law, foreseeing further legislation in the field of batteries.

European Commission webpage dedicated to waste batteries

Link to consolidated text of the Battery Directive

Link to EUROBAT Position Papers on the Battery Directive

Secondary European Legislation on Batteries:

NEW Commission Regulation (EU) No 1103/2010 establishing rules as regards capacity labelling of portable secondary (rechargeable) and automotive batteries and accumulators.

Commission Decision 2009/851/EC establishing a questionnaire for Member States reports on the implementation of Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators.

Commission Decision 2009/603/EC establishing requirements for registration of producers of batteries and accumulators in accordance with Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Commission Decision 2008/763/EC establishing, pursuant to Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, a common methodology for the calculation of annual sales of portable batteries and accumulators to end-users.

Directive 2008/103/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 amending Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators as regards placing batteries and accumulators on the market.

Directive 2008/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2008 amending Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, as regards the implementing powers conferred on the Commission.

In addition to adopting the above legislation, the Battery Directive sets the following deadlines for implementation:

• 26/09/2009: article 12 requirement for producers or third parties to set up schemes for treating and recycling waste batteries and for all collected batteries to undergo treatment
  • 26/11/2011: Recycling of batteries must meet the recycling efficiencies listed in Annex III Part B
• 26/09/2009: Capacity marking rules must be followed (article 21)
• 26/09/2010: Review of cadmium for cordless power tools
• 26/03/2010: Calculate recycling efficiency
• 5th full calendar year after entry into force: 1st calculation of collection rates by Member States
• 2012: Collection Rate of 25% of portable batteries
• 2016: Collection Rate of 45% of portable batteries
  • Member States must report to commission every year (before end June) on progress of collection
• 26/09/2012: First national implementation report (article 22), final due date 26 June 2013
• 2015: Commission must review the implementation and impact of the Directive (article 23)