Batteries

The Battery Directive

The Battery Directive is a new piece of European Legislation which came into force on 26th September 2006. European Member States are required to transpose the Directive into national law by 26th September 2008. On 20th December 2007 the UK Government has issued its first of two consultations on the transposition of this Directive.

What’s Involved?

The Directive applies to all types of batteries, irrespective of their shape, weight, composition or use except those used in certain military or space applications. It aims to make all businesses that make and sell batteries responsible for collecting and recycling spent batteries. Therefore, it affects all producers, distributors and end users and those directly involved in the treatment and recycling of waste batteries. This Directive replaces earlier directives which only apply to batteries containing certain quantities of lead, mercury or cadmium.

The main provisions of the Directive are:

• Restriction on the use of mercury and cadmium in batteries
• Labelling requirements for new batteries
• Achievement of a 25% collection by 2012 and 45% by 2016 for portable batteries
• Prohibition on disposal of waste industrial and automotive batteries to landfill or incineration
• Introduction of “producer responsibility” obligations
• Setting of recycling targets
• Setting of waste battery treatment standards

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