News

Battery Regulation enforcement starts (05/02/2009)

On 2nd February 2009 the Department for Business and Regulatory Reform (BERR) appointed the National Weights and Measurements Laboratory (NWML) as the enforcement agency for the “Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market)” Regulations 2008.

These regulations, which were introduced last September, are aimed at reducing the environmental impact of batteries. They set restrictions on the use of mercury and cadmium in the manufacture of batteries and specify labelling requirements for new batteries. They also place design requirements on new electrical products that can contain batteries in order that the batteries may be removed easily for disposal or recycling. (Details of these new regulations were the subject of the Budget Pack October 2008 seminar. If you missed this seminar you can download a copy from the download section of our Battery Info scheme at www.budget-pack.com . )

The National Weights and Measurements Laboratory already enforce the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations. On making the announcement the Business and Economic Minister Ian Pearson said:

"Building on their experience and success in enforcing similar environmental product legislation, NWML will have an important role to play in ensuring that anyone wishing to place new batteries on the UK market complies with this legislation."

The role of the NWML will be to ensure that sellers of new batteries meet the requirements of the regulations which include:

• Material Prohibitions: restrictions on the use of mercury and cadmium in batteries

• Labelling to aid recycling: use of crossed out wheeled bin symbol and chemical symbol (mercury, cadmium and lead)

• Placing on the market: Batteries that do not meet the requirements of the Regulations must be prohibited from sale or withdrawn from the market

• Removal of batteries: Appliances must be designed in such a way that waste batteries can be easily removed and recycled

Commenting on their appointment, National Weights and Measurements Laboratory Chief Executive, Peter Mason, said:"

I am delighted NWML are taking on this additional enforcement responsibility.  We are now in a position to deliver a wider scope of environmental protection in the UK by associating this new enforcement remit with our already established RoHS enforcement delivery”

To avoid prosecution all Budget Pack members who supply batteries or equipment containing batteries should ensure they comply with the above requirements. Please visit the Batteries Info scheme page of the Budget Pack website to see what support packages we provide on the battery regulations www.budget-pack.com.

New costly Battery Regulations coming in 2009

DEFRA and BERR are currently consulting on draft regulations implementing the producer responsible obligations of the Batteries and Accumulators Directive. The draft regulations set out the requirements for producers to join Battery Compliance Schemes and finance the collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries.

DEFRA estimates there are around 1500 battery producers in the UK. The Environment Agency estimate they require around £700,000 per year to enforce the regulations which will be recovered by an annual charge of £149,000 on each compliance scheme and an addition annual charge of £5,000 on the largest battery producers.  

The British Battery Manufacturers Association has branded the proposals as “ridiculously expensive”.

Budget Pack is consulting its members for their views on these proposals via an online poll in the members’ area of www.budget-pack.com

Our members’ seminar on the 25th February 2009 will explain in detail the new regulation proposals and the impacts they will have on your business. If you would like to attend please call Dan on 0845 094 2228 to book a place.