EU Publishes New Battery Regulation
On 12 July 2023, the European Commission published Regulation 2023 / 1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008 / 98 / EC and Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1020, and repealing Directive 2006 / 66 / EC
Substantial Changes
Restriction On Substances
Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1020 was amended as follows:
|
# |
Chemical and its compounds |
CAS No. |
EC No. |
Conditions of restriction |
|
Mercury |
7439-97-6 |
231-106-7 |
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. |
|
|
Cadmium |
7440-43-9 |
231-152-8 |
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. |
|
|
Lead† |
7439-92-1 |
231-100-4 |
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. |
† Newly added
Labelling Limits
All batteries containing chemicals exceeding the following limits shall be marked with the chemical symbol for the metal concerned.
|
Chemical |
Limits |
Symbol |
|
Cadmium† |
0.002% |
Cd |
|
Lead |
0.004% |
Pb |
† Newly added
Labelling, Marking and Information Requirements
Information on the label of a battery shall comprise the following information regarding the battery:
- Information identifying the manufacturer in accordance with Article 38(7);
- The battery category and information identifying the battery in accordance with Article 38(6);
- The place of manufacture (geographical location of a battery manufacturing plant);
- The date of manufacture (month and year);
- The weight;
- The capacity;
- The chemistry;
- The hazardous substances present in the battery, other than mercury, cadmium or lead;
- Usable extinguishing agent;
- Critical raw materials present in the battery in a concentration of more than 0.1% weight by weight;
- Symbol for separate collection of batteries (the crossed-out wheeled bin);
The QR code shall be in high contrast to the background colour and of a size that is easily readable by a commonly available QR reader, such as those integrated in hand-held communication devices.
Effective Date:
This Regulation shall apply from 18 February 2024 with the following provisions:
|
Article |
Apply from |
Except |
|
11 |
18 February 2027 |
- |
|
17 |
18 August 2024 |
Article 17(2) |
|
17(2) |
12 months after the date of the first publication of the list referred to in Article 30(2) |
- |
|
Chapter VI |
18 August 2024 |
- |
|
Chapter VIII |
18 August 2025 |
- |
Reference:
